Following Kate Middleton’s back-to-back appearances at Nov. 9’s Festival of Remembrance and Nov. 10’s Remembrance Sunday, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE that the Princess of Wales is coming back to royal duty “in her own way and at her own pace.

In March, Kate confirmed she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer. What followed was a nine-month battle as she underwent “preventative chemotherapy”. She endured intense online speculation in the weeks leading up to the public announcement and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.

Kate Middleton is returning to royal duties carefully and at her own pace after completing preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis.