Kate Middleton's secret visit hours before missing glitzy event with Prince William

Princess Kate missed one of the glitziest royal events in the calendar last week, but she still managed to maintain work committments for a project very close to her heart.

The Princess of Wales, 42, did not attend the Diplomatic Corps Reception, hosted by King Charles, on Tuesday evening. While Kate is often a regular attendee, she is not expected to fully resume public duties as she continues to recover from cancer.

The annual reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps was held in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla attended the white-tie event, and joined 900 guests and members of the Royal Family who all came dressed in their fineries.

However on Tuesday morning, Kate managed to host a discreet meeting for an initiative close to her heart. A new entry in the Court Circular, the official record of the Royal Family's engagement, revealed that the princess held a meeting for her Early Years team at Windsor Castle on November 19.

The entry read: "The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this morning held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle." In 2021, Kate and William established the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, dedicated to raising awareness of the crucial impact of early childhood.

Kate's latest meeting came a few hours before Charles, Camilla and William attended the Diplomatic Corps Reception. The evening saw Camilla step out in the late Queen's rarely-seen aquamarine and diamond tiara for the first time. The delicate headwear features five large aquamarines set in intricate ribbons of diamonds.

The King, who wore a white tie with traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes, was seen chatting warmly to his guests, while William, in a dapper white tie, wore his Order of the Garter blue sash with Lesser George badge. Foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK were among those who were entertained.

The reception is traditionally held early next month in the run-up to Christmas, rather than in November, but the King is hosting a state visit by the Emir of Qatar in the first week of December. At the event, guests form a large greeting line so members of the Royal Family can easily chat to their guests.

Last week, Kate made a series of rare public appearances to mark Remembrance, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday. It was the first time this year she had made two appearances on two consecutive days following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment.

However, her return to duties is gradual, and she is said to instead be focusing on organising her annual Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey. The event will be filmed and broadcast as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

Members of the Royal Family will gather with the princess as some 1,600 people fill the abbey in London to see musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. Among the invited guests will be those who have supported others, either on a personal level with friends and family, or through their work or volunteering.