Kate Middleton made her return to the public eye on Saturday during Trooping the Colour 2024, the annual ceremonial event in honor of the official birthday of the British sovereign. Though it was not an official return to royal duties, Kate's appearance marked a significant milestone for the princess, as it will be her first official royal engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
On Friday, the Princess of Wales confirmed her attendance in a heartfelt update shared across the Wales’ social media accounts. “I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” she wrote in a caption, which accompanied a photograph taken by Matt Porteous. “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.”
In March, Kate revealed in a prerecorded video message that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy. The shocking news came a couple of months after the princess underwent planned abdominal surgery, during which cancer had been discovered via postoperative tests.
During Trooping the Colour 2024, which took place at Horse Guards Parade ground in London, Kate was joined in a carriage by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They watched the celebration from the Major General’s office with other family members.
Meanwhile, sources tell Vanity Fair that in the lead-up King Charles, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, was “very much looking forward” to the event, which dates back to the 18th century. He first attended Trooping the Colour at just three years old and has been participating in the parade since 1975. According to former Buckingham Palace spokesperson Dickie Arbiter, Charles’s attendance was “non-negotiable.” “You really cannot imagine Trooping the Colour without the monarch. I understand the king was determined to be at his birthday parade,” he told VF.
21 hours ago
Louis Doing Louis Things, 2024 Edition
Prince Louis may be a prince, but maybe he should also claim the titles of Lord of the Dance and King of the Candid.
Louis, 6, was caught on camera catching the vibe of the bagpipes during his grandfather's birthday parade, boogying to the traditional music as his mom Kate Middleton smiled on and Princess Charlotte appeared to share choice commentary on her little brother's dance moves.
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21 hours ago
Flying By
(L-R) Britain’s Prince George of Wales, Prince William; Prince of Wales; Prince Louis of Wales; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Princess Charlotte of Wales; King Charles III; and Queen Camilla stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the King’s Birthday Parade “Trooping the Colour” in London.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images
The RAF's flypast has started, and key members of the royal family have emerged onto the balcony to watch.
It's a smaller crew than usual taking in the view: King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the center, of course, flanked by Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to one side, and on the other, Sophie, duch*ess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, as well as Princess Anne.
21 hours ago
Weathering the Years
Things seem to be clearing up in London after some very heavy rain, just in time for the royal family's traditional balcony appearance, a highlight of the event.
By contrast, just last year, it was so hot during Trooping the Colour that several guardsmen passed out on their feet during the final preparations for the event.
Gotta love that predictably unpredictable London weather!
From Adrian Dennis/Getty Images
21 hours ago
Looking Back at Balcony Photos
Before the royal family appears on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to take in the Red Arrows flypast, take a walk down memory lane.
Below, a look back at the balcony-based photo op from Trooping the Colours past.
June 2023
June 2022
June 2019
June 2018
June 2017
June 2016
June 2015
June 2014
June 2013
June 2012
