If anyone still questioned the Princess of Wales’s captivating charm, her dazzling presence at Wednesday’s state banquet for the President of Germany decisively silenced them.

Princess Catherine stunned in a flowing, bead-embellished gown by Jenny Packham, complemented by the seldom-seen Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara—a brilliant nod to royal diplomacy given its design by German-born Prince Albert. This ensemble even allowed her to outshine Claudia Schiffer, the iconic supermodel who also hails from Germany.

Earlier that day, Catherine, alongside her husband Prince William, both aged 43, formally greeted President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, in Britain on behalf of the King. The couple then participated in a grand carriage procession to Windsor Castle, marking a ceremonious welcome followed by a lunch.

With the state visit now behind her, the princess has little time to rest as she is set to host the eagerly awaited ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey today, concluding her year’s engagements with a star-studded affair.

It’s worth noting that it was just at the beginning of 2025 when we learned that Catherine’s return to her royal responsibilities, following her cancer treatment, would be gradual and paced.

Many will have been encouraged, then, to see the princess so firmly at the forefront of events once more. What was once a ‘question mark’ hovering over her attendance at key state engagements is now, happily, a firm ‘tick’.

‘It’s still an ongoing process,’ explains one insider, ‘but I think this year has felt much more normal than anyone had expected, or even dared to hope.

‘Catherine has very much enjoyed getting back out – and doing the things that she loves.’

The Prince and Princess of Wales at the state banquet on Wednesday

Catherine wore a blue beaded Jenny Packham dress and the rarely seen Queen Victoria ’s Oriental Circlet Tiara to the event welcoming Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

It is worth noting that, while the princess was representing the monarchy and her country, her estranged sister-in-law, Meghan, was simultaneously posting videoclips of her husband, Prince Harry, gurning for laughs on American television. It seemed to emphasise the extraordinary gulf that now exists between the two camps.

So, what does Catherine’s appearance at two public events this week tell us about where she finds herself as the year draws to a conclusion?

‘It’s a new normal rather than the normal we once knew, if that makes sense?’ one insider tells me. ‘We will see the pace of things continue in the same vein without any great change. But the shoots of recovery are definitely there.’

The princess can count herself fortunate that she has the time and space to get back to ‘match fitness’ at her own pace.

It’s fair to say that there are some within and around the royal household who would like the Waleses to do rather more on the public stage – to see an increase in their workload.

But I would argue that health is a precious commodity, and that few truly know the extent of the challenges Catherine has faced over the past two years.

‘As she herself said in Colchester [where the princess visited a hospital garden for cancer patients in July] when you have chemotherapy to the extent that she did, the effects stay in your system for a very long time,’ remarks one insider.

‘It makes everyone around the princess acutely aware they need to make sure that she is returning at a pace that is right for her. It’s still a balancing act. The team needs to get the drumbeat right.’

And as anyone who has been through their own cancer journey will understand, such a life-changing diagnosis gives you a new sense of perspective.

‘We will see the pace of things continue in the same vein without any great change,’ an insider tells Rebecca English. ‘But the shoots of recovery are definitely there’

The princess speaks with patients and staff at Colchester Hospital’s Wellbeing Centre in July

What was once a ‘question mark’ hovering over The princess’s attendance at key state engagements is now, happily, a firm ‘tick’

In Catherine’s case it has strengthen her determination to put family first.

‘One steadfast thing that hasn’t changed is that the children remain at the centre of her universe, and William’s,’ says a friend. ‘They continue to be hands-on parents. Nothing matters to them more.’

The recent move to their new ‘forever’ home, Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, has been a significant step, providing the ‘fresh start’ the whole family needed, insiders tell me.

One source describes their decision to put down permanent roots there, rather than move into a grander royal residence, as being a ‘weight off their shoulders’.

‘They seem happier than they have in a long time,’ another adds. ‘It’s been the fresh start the family needed after a difficult couple of years. It’s their intention to stay there [at Forest Lodge] for a very long time.’

Spending time with William in Rio de Janeiro last month, I would say he was as relaxed as I’ve ever seen him – an interesting marker given the ceaseless online speculation about his wife’s appearance and her health.

To put it plainly, I really don’t think he would be undertaking such trips, or planning more for next year, if he had concerns for Kate’s wellbeing.

Despite William’s recent globe-trotting, there are no plans – yet – in the diary for Catherine to undertake an overseas visit, either alone or with her husband.

While there has been widespread speculation about forthcoming joint trips to the United States and Australia, I am assured that no formal invitations have been issued or discussions held.

That said, one well-placed source said this: ‘Foreign trip? TBC [to be confirmed]. Yes, there’s nothing on the table at the moment, but I would never say never.’

The princess has not undertaken a visit abroad since November 2022, well before her cancer diagnosis, and my gut feeling is that the Waleses would first test the waters with a relatively short hop.

Meanwhile, the princess wants to focus on taking her work – particularly in the sphere of early years development – to what she describes as ‘the next level’.

Her recent speech at a business summit in the city, in which she pleaded for business to value people and families as well as profits, was seen as a hugely significant indication of ‘where she is at’, I’m told.

The speech, Catherine’s first in two years, was punchier than many of her previous addresses. Described to me as an attempt to use her public profile to bring about real-world change in a light-touch way, it was consistent with an approach the Royal Family has developed in recent years.

These days, they prefer something more constructive than the old-fashioned business of cutting ribbons.

We won’t, however, see Catherine branch out into the light entertainment enjoyed by her husband, Prince William, who recently took part in Eugene Levy’s The Reluctant Traveler series.

‘That’s definitely not in the crystal ball for her,’ smiles another well-placed insider.

And while sources speak of the princess’s ‘unwavering commitment’ to duty and service and her ‘strong understanding’ of her role as a senior royal, they are also at pains to point out that her role is a job for life.

As such, Catherine clearly sees her journey as a marathon, not a sprint.

She is quietly determined to carve out her destiny in her own way and in her own time – regardless of how anyone thinks the star qualities we are seeing in such abundance should be harnessed and amplified.