Kate Middleton, currently undergoing chemotherapy for cancer she was diagnosed with earlier this year, will resume her royal duties this weekend.
The Princess of Wales, 42, who first went public with her diagnosis in March, will make her long-awaited return at Saturday’s Trooping the Colour, which commemorates King Charles’ birthday.
The appearance will mark Middleton’s first royal engagement since Christmas. She’ll reportedly attend the parade in a carriage with her children, and later be on the Buckingham Palace balcony with her husband, Prince William, along with the king and queen.
The welcome news comes as Middleton’s cancer treatment has reportedly gone well over the past three months, though she admitted she’s not in the clear just yet.
In a personal message shared on social media Friday afternoon, the princess said she’s “making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.”
“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months,” she continued. “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.”
The BBC previously reported that Middleton’s presence at the official parade was up in the air, but confirmed she would not attend last weekend’s rehearsal, known as the Colonel’s Review.
In a touching letter penned to the Irish Guards, who are leading Trooping the Colour and for whom she serves as their honorary colonel, the princess apologized for missing the rehearsal.
“I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour,” Middleton wrote. “Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable [to] take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.”
The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning.
We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes.
Quis Separabit@KensingtonRoyal @ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/y95rbmaeOS
— Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024
In her message on Friday, Middleton noted she’s been allowing herself to take “much needed time to heal,” and thanked everyone for their “continued understanding” as she limits her royal duties.
Kensington Palace announced in January that Middleton had undergone “successful” abdominal surgery and would likely be absent from the public eye until after Easter.
Two months later, she revealed her cancer diagnosis in a somber video, noting she would resume her royal duties once she was able but needed to “focus on making a full recovery.”
