King Charles and Prince William have delivered an emotional reaction to Princess Catherine’s announcement she will be attending Trooping the Colour for her first and highly anticipated public engagement since her shock cancer diagnosis.
Kate, 42, sent shockwaves around the world several months ago when she revealed she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed cancer discovered during the beloved royal’s abdominal surgery in January.
The Princess of Wales has not attended a public event since Christmas Day celebrations, although speculation has stirred about whether the Princess would appear for the Trooping the Colour event as it marks the King’s official birthday parade.
In a statement on Friday evening local time, the beloved royal confirmed she will in fact be joining her family in the traditional carriage procession to the parade on Saturday before she is expected to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the awaited fly-past.
A spokesperson for the monarch said the 75-year-old King was “delighted” his daughter-in-law will attend his birthday parade which he “very much” looks forward to.
“His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events and is very much looking forward to all elements of the day,” they said.
William, 41, is also said to be “pleased” his wife was beginning to engage in works and projects which matter to her, after many months’ long hiatus.
“He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties” a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed the news on social media and they described Kate as an “inspiration” to people experiencing similar health issues.
Kate stunned royalists on Friday with a new picture uploaded to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X (formally Twitter) account showing the mother-of-three standing gracefully amid a leafy backdrop dressed in jeans and smart blazer.
“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,” the Princess said in the caption accompanying the image which is said to have been taken earlier this week on the grounds of the Windsor estate.
“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,” she said.
Kate added she was “making good progress” amid her cancer treatment but “as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days”.
“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.”
Saturday’s event will be a significant one for the Princess as a regiment she represents as Colonel will be Trooping their King’s Colour, however Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall will take the salute on her behalf.
Kate’s cancer treatment comes as Charles has also been receiving treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, not prostate cancer, discovered while the King was being treated at the private London Clinic for an enlarged prostate.
The monarch resumed public facing duties at the end of April and spoke of his “shock” cancer diagnosis while he met patients at the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre in central London.
As part of changes made to his routine at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, he will travel in an Ascot Landau carriage to inspect the troops with Queen Camilla instead of riding on horseback.