Princess Kate Middleton of Wales recently graced public view for the first time since the announcement of her cancer battle, attending a Trooping the Colour ceremony along with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family watched from within the confines of a high-ranking general’s office.
During the ceremony, Kate, dressed in white with navy embellishments, was spotted engaging with her trio of children, who were also attired in navy and white. The Princess of Wales, the colonel of the regiment, adorned herself with an Irish Guards regimental brooch. As the family departed from Buckingham Palace, they were met with cheers from the throng assembled along the Mall.
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla were leading the royal procession in their own carriage, preceding the Princess of Wales. Prior to the parade, Kate was photographed arriving at the palace by car.
In a statement before the ceremony, Princess Kate expressed her anticipation for attending the King’s upcoming birthday parade. She also mentioned her plans to participate in a few public engagements over the summer, but acknowledged that she continues to face health challenges.
Striving to maintain a positive perspective, Kate mentioned navigating the highs and lows that accompany her treatment journey, balancing rest and activity according to her body’s needs. She also said that her healthcare regimen will persist for several more months.
An official at Buckingham Palace relayed the King’s pleasure that the Princess would be attending the upcoming event.
Honoured for over two centuries on the sovereign’s birthday, the event featured a trooping of the king’s colour by the Number 9 Company, Irish guards. The latter regiment is represented by Princess Kate in her capacity as colonel.
Less than a week before, while addressing the Irish guards, Princess Kate expressed her regret for her inability to take the regiment’s salute due to her ongoing chemotherapy treatment. Offering her wishes of luck, she appointed Lt Gen James Bucknall to take the salute on her behalf.
The monarch who is concurrently receiving cancer treatment, will not mount a horse for the ceremonial event, but will rather observe the procession from an Ascot landau coach. His initial exposure to the tradition was when he was a mere three years old, travelling in a coach alongside his grandma, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
In excess of 1,250 troops along with multitudes of guards gathered on the parade field for the King’s scrutiny from his coach with Camilla, who holds the rank of colonel of the Grenadier Guards, with the mounted regal colonels for company.
An approximate crowd of 8,000 relatives and partners of the parading guardsmen and officers occupied the stands overlooking the parade field.