Prince William has marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by meeting with some of the UK’s surviving war veterans and revealed Princess Catherine’s surprising link to the legendary Bletchley Park code breakers.
ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship says royal officials “didn’t rule out” Princess Kate’s attendance at this year’s Trooping the Colour.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not made the cut for Trooping the Colour, the second year in a row they have not been invited to the event.
It’s been rumoured the Princess of Wales will attend the ceremony as long as she feels well enough.
“I have to say, I still think that’s highly unlikely,” Mr Ship told Sky News host Sharri Markson.
“You’ve got someone who is having cancer treatment and has had that massive operation previously.”
William attended the event in Portsmouth, England, on Wednesday alongside his father King Charles and Queen Camilla, but the Princess of Wales was absent due to her ongoing cancer treatment.
Speaking to war veterans and their families, the Prince of Wales gave a brief update on his wife’s condition amid her chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
“She is better, thanks. She would’ve loved to be here today,” he said.
Britain’s Prince William, right, meets D-Day veteran Eric Bateman, following a commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in Southsea, England, Wednesday June 5, 2024. Picture: Andrew Matthews/Pool via AP.
The future monarch also spoke with an elderly man who served as a codebreaker during the war and bonded with the veteran over a surprising link to Kate.
“My wife’s grandmother did the same sort of thing as you. Catherine only found out at the end of her life,” William said.
Valerie Middleton, Kate’s beloved late grandmother, served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment with the British Red Cross during World War II.
Middleton also worked in the Second World War Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) in Bletchley Park as a code breaker.
Kate’s grandmother Valerie served as a codebreaker during World War 2. Picture: Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images.
Code breakers helped decode encrypted enemy radio and teleprinter communications. Picture: AAP Image/Keir David.
Code breakers were crucial to the Allied victory in World War II by intercepting and breaking high-level encrypted enemy radio and teleprinter communications by Nazi Germany and Japan.
After bonding with the veteran over their link to the legendary Bletchley Park, the Prince of Wales then warmly wished the elderly war hero well with a touching tribute.
“We want you here in five years time for the 85th,” he said.
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The emotional moment came one day after a controversial tabloid article alleged that Kate may never fully return to duties after completing her cancer treatment.
On Tuesday, a source told American outlet Us Weekly that the future Queen Consort is “reevaluating what she’s going to be able to take on when she comes back”.
“She may never come back in the role that people saw her in before,” the source said.
“She’s not able to see many people because she is susceptible to getting sick and they don’t want her compromised, but she’s up and about.”