In a long-awaited return to royal duties, Kate Middleton delighted fans with an appearance at this year’s Trooping the Colour.
Otherwise known as the Colonel’s Review, the annual event is a state ceremonial parade to celebrate the birthday of the reigning British sovereign, now King Charles III.
The Princess of Wales shared a statement on Instagram shortly before the event to announce she would be attending, along with an update on her health following her cancer diagnosis.
“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” Kate wrote.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.
“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.
“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”
The Princess of Wales and her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, rode in a carriage down the Mall to watch the official proceedings. Theirs was among others carrying other royal family members, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Lady Louise.
Other members of the family took part in the proceedings on horseback including Prince William and Princess Anne.
For the King’s birthday parade, Kate wore a white dress with black trim, a Mulberry clutch and Jimmy Choo pumps.
While it started raining midway through the proceedings, the weather soon improved and the crowds eagerly awaited the royal family’s arrival on the balcony.
Princess Kate along with her husband Prince William and their children, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla, joined other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony around 1pm UK time (10pm AEST).
Following the event, the Princess of Wales took to Instagram to express her thanks for those who attended.
“A memorable day at the King’s Birthday Parade,” she wrote.
“From the Irish Guards Trooping their colour to seeing so many faces on the Mall, thank you for making it a day to remember.”
It was only earlier this month that Princess Kate sent a letter to the Irish guards, expressing her apologies for missing the final rehearsal for the parade.
The Princess of Wales expressed “how proud” she was of the regiment, as shared by the Irish Guards to X.
“I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate,” she wrote.
“Being your colonel remains a great honour and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”
As the public speculated as to when Kate Middleton would return to royal duties, two months ago the Princess of Wales asked for “time, space and privacy” as she commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis.
Since then, Kate’s husband, the Prince of Wales, has been on a mission to ensure his wife continues to be completely shielded in order to focus on her ongoing recovery.
“Prince William’s top priority is Kate’s health,” a palace source revealed to New Idea. “He has been the driving force behind the decision to maintain the strictest privacy protocols around Kate.”
Kate, 42, has sought sanctuary at Adelaide Cottage, the family home she and William, 41, share with their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
And while she’s grateful for the time she has been given so far, Kate also heeds the words of her late grandmother-in-law.
Queen Elizabeth II once said that royalty need to be “seen to be believed”. As a result, our source said Kate Middleton was very much hoping to return for a balcony appearance during Trooping the Colour in London on June 15.
“Kate’s told William, that with her doctor’s approval, she is determined to appear at that event,” our source said. “He’s tried to keep her away from all the news and crazy speculation about her ongoing absence from the public eye, but it’s impossible and Kate’s definitely feeling the pressure to put an end to all the nonsense.”
Back in January, when Kate underwent major abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace released a statement explaining that she “is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter”.
However, that deadline has long since passed and public unease is undeniably mounting once more over the true state of the princess’ wellbeing.
The fact that, last month, the Palace released a new statement saying Kate would not return to work until given the “green light” by her medical team was surprising to some royal watchers in its vagueness.
“Her continuing absence is creating a vacuum ready to be filled by wild conspiracy theories on social media,” our source said
But despite mounting public speculation over her whereabouts, “stubborn” William is refusing to allow Kate be pressurised into making any public appearances, even if she’s privately expressing that she is willing to do so.
“He’s completely against being forced to commit to any kind of deadlines,” our source said. “But Kate knows they’ve passed their Easter promise and it’s setting off alarm bells.”
The trump card Kate has to play, our source said, is that gossip about her continuing absence could “get back to her children”.
In her video statement, released back in March, Kate made a point of mentioning that protecting George, Charlotte and Louis, and explaining everything in “a way that is appropriate for them”, was of utmost importance to both her and William.
“If putting an end to the nasty speculation – and protecting her children from being exposed to gossip – requires a short appearance on Buckingham Palace’s balcony after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, Kate will do everything in her power to be there,” our source said.
“Kate is grateful that she’s been able to switch off and focus on her health, and she knows that William absolutely has her best interests at heart.
“But she is also determined to do her duty as a future Queen, and return to work, even briefly, as soon as she possibly can.”
