BEHIND HER SILENCE: Pain, Loyalty and the Drive to Be Queen

She appeared to be back in regal form, stunning in her black velvet–trimmed military-style coat and elegant veil.

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But as the events of the National Service of Remembrance honoring Britain’s fallen soldiers unfolded at the Cenotaph war memorial in London on Nov. 10, a closer look revealed that Princess Kate — who a day earlier appeared to fight tears during another public outing at the Festival of Remembrance — was struggling. “She looks so tired, bless her,” one social media user noted, while a GB News commentator remarked, “I think she made a great effort, but she didn’t look very well. Everybody worries about her, and everyone needs to worry about her.”

The poised and polished princess became very human after her shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Breaking royal precedent, the Princess of Wales even acknowledged her struggle completing chemotherapy. “My path to healing and full recovery is long,” The 42-year-old said in September. “And I must continue to take each day as it comes.” Forced to face her own mortality, the mom of three continued, she’s developed “a new perspective on everything.”

That, a royals source tells Star, is one reason why, after decades of dignified quietude, Kate is more than ready to break her customary silence. “Kate has given so much of herself over the years. She’s smiled and stood by the royal family and not caused any major scandals. She’s supported Prince William and been a gracious, warm and loving wife and mother. She’s honored her duties and behaved like a future queen,” explains the source. “People around her, however, are saying that when the time is right, she will be more forthcoming about everything she’s been through.”

UNPRECEDENTED ORDEAL