Princess Kate’s appearance at a high-profile event this week was very meaningful to King Charles, a royal expert has said.

The princess, who only began resuming her royal duties last month after undergoing preventative chemotherapy, helped to welcome the Emir of Qatar to the UK during an official state visit on Tuesday, December 3.

Former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond said her attendence at the event would have had a special resonance for the king, who revealed his own diagnosis in February.

“I’m sure the bond between Charles and Catherine has grown ever stronger during these long months of cancer treatment,” she told OK! Magazine.

“They must sit down sometimes and compare notes and I think the king will be very touched that Catherine has chosen an important state occasion like this to make a high-profile appearance.”

“It shows her dedication to the job she acquired on marriage, and to the monarchy,” she added.

Kate began to gradually resume her schedule of public appearances by joining fellow royals at the Cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday service at the start of November.

The princess, who is recovering from cancer after what her husband has described as a “brutal” year, will also go ahead with her televised Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on December 6.

“This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives,” Kensington Palace said.

“This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need – individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.

“This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.”

The event will be filmed and broadcast as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.