Kate Middleton makes rare public appearance joining William, Charles and Camilla at church

Kate made a rare public appearance as the 42-year-old Princess of Wales and her family joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and other senior royals at a church service

Kate, Princess of Wales has made a rare public appearance as she and Prince William joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at Crathie Church in Scotland.

The 42-year-old was seen in the passenger seat of a car driven by Prince William on Sunday. Prince George was also spotted in the back seat of the vehicle.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were also seen on the way to the service, while Prince Edward travelled in a different vehicle. A guard of honour made up of pipers from the Scottish Balaklava company greeted the monarch on his arrival.

Crathie Kirk has been a regular place of worship for the Royal Family during their stays at Balmoral for over a century. A private service was held there for members of the Royal Family in September 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the royals also went to a Sunday service there in 1997 following the death of Princess Diana.

The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from royal duties this year as she recovers from treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. In recent months she has made public appearances at Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, which were her first since her diagnosis was announced in March. As she recovers from treatment, the mum-of-three has taken the rest of the summer to spend time with William and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Ahead of her Trooping the Colour appearance in June, she released a statement in which she spoke about her recovery. She said: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” the princess said. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”