While you and I are chugging through house chores and catching up on Severance this weekend, Princess Katherine and Prince William are packing their bags.
Following their schedule, President Donald Trump will likely invite the Prince and Princess of Wales to Washington, D.C., this year, as Trump is set to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer within days. The president very much enjoyed meeting Prince William in France—he was wowed by William and thinks he’s a great guy. Trump will officially invite both William and Katherine to visit Washington but understands if the Princess of Wales’s health issues prevent her from coming.
The invitation is expected to follow the president’s meeting with the prince in France last year, which came just months after it was announced that Princess Katherine had finished chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis. William and Trump met at the Notre Dame reopening in Paris in December, where the president praised William and his royal work. Kensington Palace revealed that the pair focused on the importance of the UK–US relationship during their meeting.
Katherine and William could be the power duo to strengthen the so-called “special relationship” between the two nations, playing an instrumental role in smoothing diplomatic ties. The Prince of Wales has certainly sparked a connection with Trump that could prove significant, especially as the Waleses eventually ascend to the throne. With political uncertainty echoing across the globe, the UK government is reportedly keen for the royals to assist in improving international relations, with President Trump as a key focus.
Moreover, William and Katherine seemingly made King Charles proud after key figures from the Commonwealth reaffirmed their support for the monarchy, suggesting that Australia is unlikely to become a republic. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott stated, “I am sure the common sense of the Australian people means that a republic will never happen in my country, and in any event, Wills and Kate are overwhelmingly the most popular members of the royal family.” Similarly, former Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer asserted that there is no prospect of Australia becoming a republic in the foreseeable future.
In a recent announcement from Kensington Palace, the Prince and Princess of Wales are heading west for an official joint trip to Pontypridd, Wales, on February 26th. The palace issued a press release on Thursday, February 20th, announcing the upcoming trip ahead of St. David’s Day, the Welsh national holiday celebrating the patron saint of Wales. Expect parades, festivals, traditional Welsh food, and people dressed as daffodils—the national symbol of Wales.
During their visit, the couple will reportedly spend time with the local community and meet residents affected by last year’s flash floods. While a trip to their namesake country is certainly noteworthy, the real story here is Katherine’s return to public duties.
The Princess of Wales spent most of 2024 out of the public eye, prioritizing her health after announcing her cancer diagnosis in March. Though she made select appearances at classic royal events like Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour, she largely kept a low profile until finishing chemotherapy in September. Since then, the palace has been tight-lipped about her public engagements, with announcements strictly embargoed—meaning news outlets could not share details until a specified date. Some of her recent appearances, including visits to the Royal Marsden Hospital and a Holocaust Memorial ceremony, were not announced at all.
However, the decision to publicly share news of this upcoming trip marks a major shift in the palace’s stance on her royal duties. It may also provide insight into how she is recovering. Royal historian Jessica Stooschuk noted that the palace has been understandably hesitant over the past year to confirm engagements in case they needed to be adjusted. But this announcement signals a clear step forward.
William and Katherine’s decision to announce their upcoming trip to Wales without a press embargo suggests renewed confidence that they will not need to cancel or postpone due to health concerns.
The couple has attended Britain’s biggest night for movies, the BAFTAs, on five previous occasions. However, they did not attend the ceremony on February 16th. Prince William, who has served as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) since 2010, instead appeared in a video package during the awards show.
Instead of attending the BAFTAs, the royal couple is currently on vacation on the private island of Mustique in the Caribbean.
