On the eve of Trooping the Colour, The Princess of Wales has issued a statement providing an update on her health – and that she will attend the birthday parade for The King.
Earlier this year, Catherine gave a short piece to camera with the news that she was undergoing treatment for a form of cancer.
A new photograph has been released of The Princess of Wales. (Kensington Palace)
Accompanying her statement was a new photograph, taken earlier this week by Matt Porteous. Standing under a tree, in the grounds of what appears to be Frogmore House, the Princess looks well and relaxed, dress in a blazer, jeans and trainers.
Opening her public note, Catherine shared how she has ‘been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months’ and it has made ‘the world of difference’ to her and William, helping them through some of the ‘harder times’.
Stating that she is making ‘good progress’ in her recovery, the mother-of-three commented: ‘as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days’ – on bad days ‘you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting’ but on good days ‘when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well’.
The Royal Family on the balcony in 2023, for Trooping the Colour
‘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.’
Ahead of Trooping, Catherine says she is ‘looking forward’ to attending The King’s birthday celebrations and even adds that she is hoping ‘to join a few public engagements over the summer’ – but stresses that she is not ‘out of the woods’ yet.
‘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.’
The note was signed off: ‘C’.
I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
I am making good progress, but as anyone going… pic.twitter.com/J1jTlgwRU8
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 14, 2024
Tomorrow’s birthday parade will see her travel in a carriage with her children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – followed by a balcony appearance alongside other members of the Royal Family.
It was expected that Catherine would likely miss this annual event due to treatment, but it seems she believes she will be well enough to join in as the world looks on to her first official public appearance since she announced her treatment.
The King will also ride in a carriage and not on horseback, whilst he also undergoes his own treatment for cancer. He will be accompanied by The Queen.
The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal and The Duke of Edinburgh will ride on horseback in the procession, as Colonels of the Welsh Guards, Blues and Royals and Coldstream Guards respectively, before enjoying the musical military spectacle at Horseguards.
Trooping will be streamed live on the BBC.
