The Princess of Waleses' appearance at Trooping the Colour today is 'critical' for the Royal Family, according to an expert.
Kate, who has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, will ride in a carriage alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the traditional procession on Saturday. Later, she is expected to gather with the King, the Prince of Wales and other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the fly-past. Kate's public appearance at Trooping will be her first official outing of 2024 after she missed engagements at the start of the year when she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on January 16.
A new picture of Kate released yesterday (Matt Porteous)In an emotional statement yesterday, 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."
Royal historian and expert Dr Tessa Dunlop says that although Trooping is King Charles' day as it's his birthday parade, it will no doubt be all about Kate. She told the Mirror: "Hold your breath, Kate is back. The message was cautious, her 'treatment is ongoing', the Princess has 'good days and bad days' but she is 'looking forward to attending the King’s birthday parade'. Hurrah!
"For royal followers, this is huge news, it is also a major uptick for the Windsor brand. Kate is their star power, combining glamour with grace and good humour and has been sorely missed. Trooping would have gone ahead without her, but let's not pretend that royal business as usual is possible at this annual fixture without her sharp-edged regal style and bold, bright colours.
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Kate with the royals after the Coronation last year (Getty Images)"A rumour mill in overdrive is where we would have ended up – keyboard warriors in dark corners spitting bile, triggering a guessing game as to Kate's latest prognosis, and a summer of unhelpful speculation.
"Instead the Princess of Wales has opted for duty and display from her horse-drawn carriage and then, at a safe distance, a dignified wave on the balcony. Critical to the royal family's pulling power, a lightning rod for the nation’s sympathies and affection, no matter how brief her appearance, and despite not taking the salute as Colonel of the Irish Guards, Trooping will be Kate’s day. It is the King's birthday parade, but like everyone else he is 'delighted' his daughter-in-law will be there.
"Unlike all other appearances on the balcony, Trooping the Colour is an annual fixture. Cast your eye across the cast on the balcony and you can read the royal forecast – crucially who is in and who is out."
Trooping will be a special event for the princess as Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, a regiment she represents as Colonel, will be Trooping their King's Colour on Saturday, but Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall will take the salute on her behalf. The King, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, will not ride during the ceremony but will inspect the troops formed up in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall from a carriage.
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