Update given on Kate Middleton’s next steps and it might not be what fans want to hear

A royal insider has given an update on Kate Middleton ahead of a new year of royal duties.

Royal fans were delighted to see Kate up and about interacting with crowds on Christmas Day during the family's annual trip to Sandringham.

But it may have been the last for a while, as an insider has shared a look into Kate's alleged focuses for the year ahead.

After announcing that she had finished her cancer treatment in autumn of last year, the mother-of-three took on multiple royal engagements - including a carol concert which was broadcast on TV.

It seems Kate Middleton plans to scale back her royal engagements as of 2025 (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

But a source has now told the MailOnline, that as with any person, cancer changes your perspective on life - prompting you to shift your focus.

Because of this, the source claimed that the Princess of Wales 'simply won't be going back to work in the same way as before' her diagnosis.

They claimed that there will be a 'slow return' to full-time public duties, and instead, her focus for this year will reportedly be on her work with early years children.

According to the source, this will be as well as attending key royal events in the calendar and prioritising her own family life.

The insider added that the reported changes were 'all about pace', and that doing the school run and attending sporting events was reportedly enough to please Kate for now.

They claimed: "I think she would also prefer to confirm only when she is certain she can attend events, rather than get anyone's hopes up and then have to pull out."

Kate previously noted that her months of treatment had been 'incredibly tough', and that getting 100 percent better was a big focus.

The Princess of Wales was seen on Christmas Day engaging in conversation with crowds that had gathered (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

As of now, there are no plans for any full-scale foreign tours for the Princess.

But it seems as though Kate is now more popular than ever, as hundreds of people lined the gardens of Sandringham House, hoping to get a glimpse of the royals on Christmas morning.

Kate was joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as her husband, Prince William, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in the short walk from Sandringham House to the church.

She was pictured receiving hugs, receiving more bouquets of flowers than she probably knew what to do with and wishing people a Merry Christmas.

One fan on Twitter said (via The Daily Express): "This was the first time the PoW interacted with the public in a year. She’s been so brave.

"Her voice may have wavered at first, but from the moment she got out of church, she went to meet all the people there. She was there, supported by those who loved her."

Tyla has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.