Kate, the Princess of Wales, returned to the public eye on Saturday at Trooping the Colour, her first appearance since disclosing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Attending the annual military parade to celebrate King Charles III’s official birthday, Kate was accompanied by her husband Prince William, their children Princes George and Louis, Princess Charlotte, and other members of the royal family.
Dressed elegantly in a Jenny Packham white dress with black trim and a matching hat by Philip Treacy, Kate rode alongside her children, ages 10, 9, and 6, in the Glass Coach during the parade down the Mall.
This public outing marks Kate’s first since attending a Christmas Day service with the royal family in Sandringham last December. Shortly thereafter, she was hospitalized for planned abdominal surgery and subsequently announced her cancer diagnosis in March, the specifics of which remain private.
Kate has begun a regimen of preventative chemotherapy, starting in late February. She shared in a recent update that, although the journey has been challenging with fluctuating good and bad days, she is making steady progress. On her better days, Kate engages in school activities with her children, personal hobbies that boost her energy, and some work from home.
This year’s Trooping the Colour not only marked a significant return for Kate but also for Charles, who has resumed his public duties following his own cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The type of cancer and his treatment details have not been disclosed by Buckingham Palace.
The event, which featured over 1,400 soldiers, saw some adjustments with King Charles participating in a horse-drawn carriage instead of riding horseback as in previous years.