UK Edition
Q&A: Princess of Wales’s Trooping the Colour attendance and cancer treatment update
Catherine confirms her appearance at King’s official birthday parade as she says she is ‘making good progress’
The Princess of Wales will join her three children in a carriage for Trooping the Colour on Saturday, marking her first public appearance since she revealed she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
The Princess, 42, said in a statement that there were “good days and bad days” and that her chemotherapy treatment would continue for “a few more months.”
But she said she hoped to “join a few public engagements over the summer” if she feels able.
Kensington Palace sources said the Princess was “making good progress” but stressed that she must continue to receive the space and privacy she needs to prioritise her recovery.
When was the Princess last seen in public?
The Princess made her last official public appearance on Christmas Day 2023 when she joined her family for the traditional church service on the Sandringham estate
Will the Princess take part in Trooping the Colour?
Yes, the Princess will take part in the King’s official birthday parade much as she did last year.
How will the Princess take part in the event?
The Princess will leave Buckingham Palace in a state carriage with all three of her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
The carriage will travel up the Mall, as part of the traditional procession, to the Horse Guards Parade.
She will then watch the parade from the Major General’s Office overlooking the parade ground.
Will she appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony?
Yes, the Princess will join senior royals for the traditional balcony appearance and RAF flypast.
What about Prince William?
The Prince of Wales will take part in Trooping on horseback, as he did last year
Was the Princess at Trooping last year?
Yes, she took part in a similar way, joining the Queen and her three children in a carriage.
Why did the Princess choose the King’s official birthday parade to return to the public eye?
Family is very important to the Princess. Trooping the Colour is a “big family moment” and she wanted to be there to support them. She is said to be looking forward to joining her children for the event.
Did the Princess consult the King about her attendance?
Yes, the Princess is understood to have spoken to her father-in-law about joining the parade. The King was said to be “delighted” and, like her, is looking forward to all elements of the day.
Did the palace tell the Government that she was going to attend?
No10 and The Cabinet Office have been informed of The Princess’ decision to attend Trooping and they have informed the opposition parties
Is the Princess attending Trooping in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards?
The Princess remains the Colonel of the Irish Guards but under the circumstances, Lieutenant General James Bucknall is taking the salute on her behalf.
The Princess is said to be looking forward to supporting the Irish Guards and wrote to wish them good luck ahead of the Colonel’s Review last weekend.
Is the Princess better?
The Princess is “making good progress” but is still undergoing chemotherapy treatment. She said she has “good days and bad days”.
How long will her treatment continue?
The Princess said her chemotherapy treatment would continue for the next few months.
How is the Princess feeling?
She said in her statement that she had learnt to live with uncertainty.
Like many patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, she said that on bad days she felt “weak” and “tired” and wanted to rest but on good days, she wanted to make the most of feeling well, take part in school activities and work a little from home
Is the Princess back at work?
No. Kensington Palace made clear that her appearance at Trooping the Colour did not signal a return to work.
But she has been working from home?
The Princess enjoys her work and has been engaging in some solo reading and research and taking occasional meetings related to her charities and other commitments when she feels up to it.
When will we next see her?
The Princess is hoping to make a handful of appearances this summer but it will depend on how she is feeling on any given day.
No decisions have been made on specific engagements over the coming months.
Will the Princess be at Garter Day or Ascot next week?
No, royal sources confirmed that the Princess would not be seen out in public again next week
Has the Princess been receiving the best wishes sent in by the public?
Yes, she said she had been “blown away” by the kind messages of support and encouragement received in recent months as well as the many stories shared with her from those undergoing their own cancer journeys.