Crowds cheered as Kate Middleton traveled in a carriage to Trooping the Color Saturday—the ceremonial parade to celebrate King Charles’ birthday—with husband Prince William and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. King Charles and Queen Camilla traveled in another carriage to the ceremony. Kate was photographed smiling as she traveled in the carriage, her family beside her.
It marks a feelgood and triumphant return to the public eye, although Kate made clear in a statement Friday she was not “out of the woods” yet with her cancer treatment. Both she and Charles have been receiving treatment for cancer in recent months.
Kate was wearing a dress by Jenny Packham, hat by Philip Treacy, and the Irish Guards Regimental Brooch—she is Colonel of the regiment.
Earlier, the Princess of Wales was photographed arriving at Buckingham Palace with her family. Today marks the first time Kate has been seen at an official royal event since Christmas 2023; she announced her cancer diagnosis in March after having abdominal surgery in January.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “As a reminder, while we understand this is a significant moment today, it should not be seen as a return to a full schedule of public engagements.”
Charles himself will inspect the troops in Whitehall from a carriage, rather than riding on horseback.
Kate, 42, released a deeply personal statement Friday saying that she would appear at the event—which marks King Charles’ birthday—and giving an update on her ongoing cancer battle. Kate said she was making “good progress” in her cancer treatment, “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.”
The statement was accompanied by a new picture of Kate standing beside a tree in Windsor, looking reflective.
In her statement, Kate wrote: “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.”
She said her treatment would still continue for a few 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,” she said.
“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.”
A spokesperson for William said: “The Prince is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her. He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties.”
A spokesperson for King Charles said: “His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day.”
Kate announced she had cancer on March 22, saying she had initially thought her condition was non-cancerous, but then discovered the truth after abdominal surgery in January and subsequent tests ,which revealed cancer—of an unspecified kind—was present.
She said she was in the early stages of having preventive chemotherapy, which began in late February, and said she had needed to take time to explain her condition to her three children. It has been “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful,” Kate said in March.
Kensington Palace said in March that Kate was on a “recovery pathway”; the princess herself said she was well “and getting stronger every day.” Kate added she was looking forward to returning to work, but had to focus on her recovery.
“Please do not lose faith or hope, you are not alone,” Kate said, directly addressing fellow cancer sufferers.
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