As Kate Middleton continues her recovery, she’s confronting the looming responsibilities of her future role as Queen sooner than expected. Plans continue to be made behind the scenes for Prince William’s eventual succession,

Kate Middleton has eased back into public life after facing her own health struggles this year. The Princess of Wales announced in March that she’d been diagnosed with cancer, like King Charles. In September, she confirmed she’d completed chemotherapy and was now cancer-free.

“Although the King is carrying out his duties with typical determination, he has had to accept limitations during his cancer treatment," royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People. "As a result William has been taking on more responsibilities, and he and Kate have been preparing for their future roles sooner than they would have expected.”

You can’t go through something like that and come out the other side unchanged,” an insider tells PEOPLE of the Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales is steering her future role as a Queen after her chemotherapy. Kate Middleton is moving forward navigating a new reality after ending up the year with her heartwarming Christmas carol service.