Princess Catherine opted to keep her royal duties to a minimum amid her battle with cancer, but she’ll reportedly be making more public appearances in 2026.
In 2025, the hardest-working royal was crowned King Charles with 535 public appearances – debunking Princess Anne. The Princess of Wales was ranked 10th with 68 engagements, while her husband, Prince William, had 202.
With the Princess now in remission, it’s believed her schedule will become slightly busier. However, she will remain selective to prioritise her children, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte.
While she didn’t step out for International Women’s Day, Princess Catherine shared a heartwarming tribute.
“Today we celebrate the kindness, resilience, and quiet strength of women in our families and communities,” she wrote on Instagram. “This day is about standing up alongside one another – recognising the loving influence of women, who nurture hope, encourage others and help make the world kinder and more compassionate.”
Below, The Weekly has rounded up all of Princess Catherine’s royal duties for 2026.
Visiting Evelina London’s Children’s Hospital
A mere week after tackling the Three Peaks Challenge for charity, Princess Catherine made a solo visit to the Evelina London’s Children’s Hospital, where she has been a Patron since 2018.
Spending the day meeting patients and their families, the Princess of Wales learned more about the developments in care. Dressed in the same white Suzannah shirt dress she previously wore to Wimbledon, an adorable moment was captured between her and 10-year-old Ejrran, who asked if Catherine was the Queen.
“No, I am the Princess of Wales,” she responded as per Hello!, later adding that she was overjoyed to meet “special” and “very brave children like yourself.”
During this visit, Catherine learned more about the progress in care for patients and their families at the centre. Touring the facility, Catherine met with more children being treated in the new cardiac ward, new outpatient unit, and spoke with members of the children’s cancer team.
One young patient shared he had written a poem about Shrek, to which Princess Catherine revealed her three children loved the animated movie.
This visit was a huge milestone for Princess Catherine who hasn’t visited since December 2023, roughly one month before stepping back from public duties for abdominal surgery. As royal watchers know, she was later diagnosed with cancer.
Royal Ascot
Princess Catherine made a glowing return to the annual horse-racing event, Royal Ascot 2026. She was meant to attend in 2025, but cancelled at the last minute, as she had only recently returned to public duties following her cancer recovery.
She joined Prince William in the carriage for the opening ceremony and presented trophies to the winning jockeys on the second day of the event.
Find out more on our Royal Ascot 2026 round-up here.
Order of the Garter
Princess Catherine joined her husband, Prince William, at the annual Order of the Garter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on June 15.
For the occasion, she wore yet another show-stopping coat dress after her Catherine Walker Trooping the Colour outfit was met with a flurry of approval. The piece was a Patrick McDowell design aptly named ‘The Wales’, which she paired with a Jane Taylor London straw boater hat.
The Order of the Garter includes the King, Queen, Royal Family members, and a very limited number of 24 companions. Each year, a procession takes place to honour and celebrate Britain’s oldest chivalric order.
Companions of the Garter are chosen by the Sovereign and are made up of those who have held public office, contributed to national life and/or served the Sovereign.
Anzac Day
At the annual Anzac Day memorial, Princess Catherine paid her respects to the fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers. She partook in the wreath-laying ceremony and the parade at the Cenotaph in Westminster.
For the sombre occasion, the Princess of Wales wore a cavy Givenchy by Sarah Burton coat dress with Princess Diana’s Cabochon sapphire drop earrings, a G. Collins & Sons Tanzanite necklace. Pinned to her outfit was a crimson poppy, signifying the fallen troops.
St Patrick’s Day
In her role as the Colonel of the Irish Guards, Princess Catherine greeted officers and their families at Mons Barracks in Aldershot for St Patrick’s Day 2026. For the festive occasion, the Princess of Wales wore an on-theme dark green coat paired with a perfectly matching hat and Asprey halo emerald earrings.
It was a joyful event for Catherine, who was all smiles while watching the parade and the presenting troops. A highlight of the day was presenting the mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor otherwise nicknamed Seamus, with traditional sprigs of shamrock.
This isn’t Seamus’ first ceremonial activity! The four-legged friend took part in the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, her funeral and King Charles’ coronation.
“The Princess remembered me from last year, and she asked how Seamus was doing and making sure he’s fit and healthy,” Seamus’ handler, Drummer Joseph Alridge admitted.
At the end of the parade, Princess Catherine was handed a bouquet of posies by the daughters of the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, Ella, 7, and Evie, 5. Later, she met with two women who founded the Women’s Network at the Irish Guards.
Dancing at The Aakash Odedra Company
On March 5, Princess Catherine visited Leicester to celebrate the culture and community of the British Indian community there.
After being treated to a Bollywood dance performance at The Aaska Odedra Company, Caherine revealed she has her own tiny dancers at home.
“You must be super fit because it’s super energetic,” she said, following seeing the routine, as per the Daily Mail. “My children would love that; they love their dancing. Louis would love your dance routine.”
Meeting the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
On February 5, Princess Catherine met the Most Reverend Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England’s 1428-year history. Joined by Prince William, the Waleses had the historic meeting at Lambeth Palace in London.
Many royal watchers were enamoured with Catherine’s new Daniella Draper heart-shaped necklace, symbolising love and connection. The engraved 9-carat gold piece is reportedly worth just over $3000 Australian. The necklace appears to have a customised inscription; however, the script is not clear.
Celebrating textiles in Wales
Princess Catherine spent some time on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales this January on a textile tour.
Among the textile manufacturers the princess visited was wool mill Melin Tregwnt. A traditional Welsh maker of woollen fabrics for homewear, clothing and accessories that’s been weaving since 1841. She also stopped into the Welsh Quilt Centre to learn about quilting’s historical and cultural impact.
The Princess of Wales even sat down at the sewing machine at Hiut Denim, a sustainable jean manufacturer. She added the finishing touches to a pair of jeans with the help of Barney the Dog, also revealing that the family had welcomed a puppy of the same breed into their home.
Catherine vs William: Curling Challenge in Scotland
Ahead of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the National Curling Academy in Stirling, Scotland. Joining a training session with some of the athletes, the couple competed in a friendly game, with the talented Princess winning.
The January 2026 royal engagement was just a one-day tour to “shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations,” Kensington Palace said.
As part of their short tour, the Wales’, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, visited the Radical Weavers, a community-run pub called The Gothenburg, and posed in front of popular tourist attraction The Kelpies.
Princess Catherine was undeniably appropriately dressed for the occasion, wearing a blue tartan coat by Chris Kerr and suede boots from Gianvito Rossi, paired with diamond and sapphire earrings to match her engagement ring.
Hosting England’s Women’s Rugby team
Princess Catherine’s first solo royal duty of 2026 was hosting the England Women’s Rugby team at Windsor Castle, celebrating their World Cup win in September 2025.
On January 15, players and staff received a tour of the royal residence before greeting a very excited Princess.
In a video obtained by Hello!, Princess Catherine revealed that the Wales family play rugby at home. Later discussing how schools don’t often segregate genders for sport when they’re younger, noting, ““Charlotte is playing rugby but at home with the family, so she isn’t yet at school.
“Rugby is so accessible; Louis is playing touch rugby, and it’s such a great game. Actually, they shouldn’t necessarily need to pigeonhole boys and girls in particular sports too early.
“Obviously, as they get physically stronger – George now, if we play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George! But, up to a certain age I think it’s great.”
The Princess has served as the patron of the Rugby Football Union since 2022. She took over the position after Prince Harry stepped back as a working royal with his wife, Meghan. Therefore, his duties were distributed among the royal family.
Royal watchers will know this is an exciting rivalry for the Wales family, given her husband, Prince William, is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
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