First picture of Kate Middleton as she returns to duties after six months for Trooping the Colour
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrives at Buckingham Palace before the King’s Trooping the Colour birthday parade”. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)
The Princess of Wales has been seen for the first time since her cancer diagnosis, as she arrives for the King’s official birthday parade Trooping the Colour.
Kate, 42, is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy after revealing in March that she was receiving treatment for the disease, which was discovered after abdominal surgery in January.
Joined by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in a carriage for the traditional procession, she is due to gather with other royals on Buckingham Palace’s balcony for the fly-past.
In a candid statement released on Friday, Kate outlined her personal cancer journey said she is experiencing “good days and bad days” and stressed: “I am not out of the woods yet.”
But she has begun to work from home, undertaking meetings with her foundation and Kensington Palace team, and hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer.
Her decision to choose a major national event on Saturday to return briefly to the public spotlight, the first time since Christmas Day, has been welcomed by the King.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is delighted that the princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day.”
The princess’s public appearance at Trooping is her first official outing of 2024 after she missed engagements at the start of the year when she was admitted to hospital on 16 January.
Trooping will not mark the start of a return to full-time duties, and Kate has no plans to attend the Garter Day service on Monday or Royal Ascot, as she is still undergoing treatment, with the royal appearing to indicate in her statement it will last until the end of summer.
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