Kensington Palace sets strict new rule following Kate Middleton’s latest appearance

Kensington Palace has set a strict new rule following Kate Middleton’s latest appearance.

On Christmas morning, fans of the royals lined the gardens of Sandringham House to catch the Princess of Wales - a pretty monumental outing as it was the first time the public had gotten to properly interact with her following her cancer diagnosis.

Kate,who announced her cancer diagnosis in March of this year, announced she finished her nine-month chemotherapy treatment back in September and has slowly returned to work as she recovers.

Following September, the mum-of-three has made a handful of public appearances including Trooping the Colour in June, the Emir of Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim's state visit (3 December) and her annual Christmas carol concert also earlier this month (6 December).

Since then, Kensington Palace has outlined its 'really clear' rules concerning Kate's continued return to public life.

Royal commentator, Gareth Russell, has since suggested that Kate's approach to her health journey is a 'great reminder to us all'.

The Princess of Wales made a public appearance on Christmas morning (Jordan Peck/Getty Images)

He told GB News: "The royal households have been really clear that a return to public life by the Princess of Wales will be staggered.

"It's a great reminder to all of us that a process of recovery can come in fits and starts, and also that there'll be events that she can make and events that she can't, and that for anyone going through that kind of treatment, there'll be events that they might have to miss."

Following Kate's most recent public appearance on Christmas Day, she received a whole load of presents - but what actually happens to all the gifts she gets given by public?

Well, there's a very little-known rule which must be followed.

Kensington Palace has outlined its 'really clear' rules concerning Kate's continued return to public life (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Keith Roy, with the Monarchist League of Canada, has shared his expertise on the matter.

According to the expert, the beautiful bouquets of flowers Kate receives are 'always reused' as they are reportedly given to charities or churches. He adds that the mum-of-three also sometimes takes back some of the flowers to the family's Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

If Kate's abroad on a royal tour, however, she'll take the flowers back to her hotel room before they're donated to local charities, churches and organisations.

Royals often apparently receives toys as gifts which need to go through a security check first.

And, if the gift passes the inspection, the royal family member in question can then decide what they would like to do with it.

Additionally, if a present is valued at a price under £150, the royals can choose to give the gift to their members of staff or opt to donate it to a charity of their choice.

Equally, they can choose to keep it for themselves should they want it.