Princess of Wales shortlisted for Time magazine's Person of the Year

The Princess of Wales has been shortlisted for TIME magazine's Person of the Year, following a tumultuous 2024.

Catherine was nominated for the prestigious title for starting a "conversation about privacy and health for public figures", according to the American publication.

The winner will be announced on Thursday.

READ MORE: King said his 'mama' practised wearing coronation crown at bathtime

The coveted award is handed to a person, group of people or a movement that has a huge impact on the world, whether it be positive or negative.

The 2023 winner, Taylor Swift, has just wrapped up her history-making Eras tour in Canada.

The Princess of Wales was absent for much of 2024 after revealing she had been diagnosed with cancer in March.

READ MORE: King 'fighting cancer battle very hard' William tells Donald Trump

The undisclosed type of cancer was found following planned abdominal surgery in January.

The 42-year-old stepped back from public-facing duties to undergo chemotherapy, which she confirmed had finished in September.

In October, Kate began a gradual return to official duties with a visit to Southport following the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class.

View gallery

Inside Kate's Together at Christmas carol service for 2024

Prior to the outing, with Prince William, Kate had been seen in public just twice: at Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon in July.

Last week the princess took part in the state visit events alongside the King and hosted her Together at Christmas carols concert inside Westminster Abbey.

While at the service Kate made a rare comment about her challenging year, after spending months out of the public eye while undergoing cancer treatment.

READ MORE: Queen Mary wears newly-fashioned rose-cut tiara for the first time

"I didn't know this year was going to be the year I've just had," she remarked to singer Paloma Faith, who replied, "The unplanned".

"The unplanned, exactly. But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times," the royal added.

It's the first time Kate has publicly commented on her cancer journey since she confirmed she'd finished chemotherapy in a video released by Kensington Palace.

The comment came weeks after Prince William described 2024 as "brutal" and the "hardest year" of his life.

"Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he said during a November 7 appearance.

"But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done."

King Charles, too, was diagnosed with cancer a month before his daughter-in-law and spent a period away from public duties. He is still receiving treatment and his "fighting very hard", according to Prince William.

Other famous faces shortlisted for TIME's Person of the Year are US President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, US Vice President Kamala Harris, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerome Powell, Claudia Sheinbaum, Joe Rogan and Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

In 2013, Kate – while Duchess of Cambridge – was included on TIME100's Most Influential People list and was a runner-up for Person of the Year in 2011, shortly after her wedding to Prince William.

View gallery

All the defining photos of the British royal family in 2024

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were featured on the cover of the magazine when they were included in the 100 Most Influential People list for 2021, following their decision to step back as senior working royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan left Britain in 2020 to build an independent life, launching their Archewell Foundation as well as cutting lucrative deals for producing TV shows and a podcast.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.