Princess Kate will "not be returning to work any time soon" as she continues her cancer treatment and recovery at Sandringham Estate, a royal commentator has claimed.
This comes as the Princess of Wales this week travelled to the royal residence with both the Middleton and Wales families after spending time at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
Announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Kate has not been seen in public and has stepped back from public-facing duties to undergo "preventative chemotherapy".
Speaking to GB News, royal commentator Charles Rae claimed that reports of the Princess "not returning to work until the Autumn" means she "clearly needs more time" in her recovery process.
In a discussion with hosts Tom Harwood and Emily Carver, Rae revealed: "No pictures of have been seen of the princess out and about.
"I'm surprised that with all the people who've got camera phones that we haven't seen her, but we have to accept that that she is out and about."
Detailing her move to Sandringham Estate for the week to be with her birth family and the Royal Family, Rae explained that although she is "out and about" with her family, the decision should "not be confused" with the idea of a return to public work.
Rae told GB News: "She's with her family, but the palace is making it quite clear that this should not be confused with her returning to work any time soon."
"There are even some suggestions that she won't return to work probably until the autumn. And there's one suggestion that may not even be till next year. So that's slightly worrying."
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Despite Princess Kate's absence from public working life, Rae also revealed that the Princess of Wales is carrying out duties "behind the scenes", similarly to how King Charles was still working despite receiving cancer treatment.
Rae said: "Like her father-in-law, she's not sitting at home with her feet up watching daytime TV. She is actually working.
"She's actually doing things with some of her charities, including the early childhood scenario, to get more childcare at offices and workplaces for people at work. So she's not just sitting at home."
Emily recalled the Palace's previous statement that the Princess may return to duties "after Easter", but expressed concern that Kate still has not been seen since her video message to royal fans.
Rae responded: "There is no date for her return. The problem with cancer is anybody who has got it has got a huge problem on their hands, some people have a harder battle than others.
"I'm not suggesting that Catherine is fighting a harder battle, we just don't know. But clearly, she feels that she needs a lot more time and space."
Host Tom Harwood then highlighted the "difficult time" for the Royal Family, and noted that all senior members will now be forced to "cancel all plans" and "be careful with what they say and do" given the upcoming general election in July.
Rae agreed, telling GB News: "Things have had to be cancelled in any case, so during these next six weeks, we are not going to be seeing any members of the Royal Family doing as much as they possibly can prior to a general election.
"So they are going to be very much in the background to all of this, until we have a new Government, whatever colour that is."
