Catherine, Princess of Wales “Kate Middleton” has made her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer, joining other royals in London for Trooping the Colour, the King’s official birthday parade.
The Princess, also known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, travelled in a state carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade with her three children to attend the ceremony. She was seen wearing an Irish Guards brooch, signifying her role as an honorary colonel.
Kate’s husband, Prince William, was then seen riding on horseback while the family looked on from a vantage point.
Charles III and his wife and Camilla Parker were also seen riding in a carriage from Buckingham Palace, slowly cruising up the Mall to the cheers of a packed crowd. This year, the King himself took part in the carriage rather than on horseback, as he has been diagnosed with cancer.
People of all ages gathered along the Mall for the event. Some spectators wore Union Jack-style bucket hats and fascinators, while others waved flags. The most patriotic sang the national anthem.
Kate will join other royals on the balcony later. It’s a key moment in the princess’ recovery, marking her first public appearance since Christmas, just weeks before her cancer diagnosis.
On Friday, Kate gave an update on her health, saying her recovery is “progressing well.” But she said the treatment will likely take several more months and that she is “not out of the woods yet.”
Also Charles III, who took part despite being treated for cancer.
Trooping the Colour is a grand military spectacle in which 1,400 officers and soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses parade through the streets of London from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, with crowds lining the route.
One of the highlights of the British royal calendar, the event is a more than 260-year-old tradition that celebrates the official birthday of the British ruler. However, Charles’ actual birthday is in November.
Since the 18th century, British kings and queens have celebrated twice as many festivals: both public celebrations on their official birthdays, and more private events on their actual dates.
The tradition is said to have been started in 1748 by party-loving King George II, who, like Charles III, was born in November, when the weather in England is often less than ideal.
After the glitzy parade, the procession returns to the palace, where the ruler and members of his family traditionally gather on the famous balcony to the cheers of the jubilant crowd below.
Kate’s performance created a great buzz among the audience, who chatted and warmed their hands with thermoses of tea. “We are very excited,” Lene Geldenhuys, 41.
“We want to go out on our balcony and see her beautiful face again … It’s mainly for her that we are here because we missed seeing her in public,” she added.
This year’s event has been adjusted as Charles, 75, continues to undergo treatment for an unspecified type of cancer.
Doctors are encouraged by his progress which will enable him to return to official duties in April, but his duties will be reviewed individually and adjusted as necessary.
At Saturday’s event, he will ride in an Ascot Landau carriage alongside the Queen as she parades through the troops.
Three British war horses that galloped around London in April are returning to duty and will take part in this weekend’s birthday parade. The remaining two are “enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns” and will return to duty in due course, the Army announced.