UK: Princess Of Wales Kate Makes First Public Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis At King’s Birthday Parade — WATCH
The Princess of Wales, Kate, made her first public appearance since cancer treatment at a grand birthday celebration for King Charles III on Saturday.
Britain displayed a grand birthday celebration for King Charles III on Saturday, featuring a military parade that marked the Princess of Wales' first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The annual event symbolised stability for the monarchy after a period during which both the king and Kate, the wife of the heir to the throne Prince William, were undergoing cancer treatment.
On Friday, Kate announced she would attend the King’s Birthday Parade, citing progress in her treatment. She had revealed in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified cancer. “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” AP quoted Kate as saying. She also added that “a few more months” of treatment.
The 42-year-old princess travelled in a horse-drawn carriage from Buckingham Palace along the Mall with her children George, 10, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6. Spectators cheered as they saw Kate, who was dressed in a white Jenny Packham dress and a wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat.
ALSO READ: King Charles Set To Resume Duties After 3-Month Hiatus Since Cancer Diagnosis
She noticed the ceremony from a building overlooking the Horse Guards Parade, accompanied by her children. Louis, at one point, yawned broadly but mostly watched with interest. Kate was slated to join other family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast of military aircraft, delighting the crowds below. This was her first public appearance since December.
Kate emphasised that she is "not out of the woods yet," and officials stressed that Saturday's event does not signify a full return to public duties.
Large crowds congregated to watch the parade, also known as Trooping the Color, which features a procession of horses, musicians, and hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial uniform from Buckingham Palace.
Prince William, dressed in military uniform, rode on horseback during the ceremony, where troops parade past the king with their regimental flag, or “color.” This tradition dates back to when a regiment’s flag was a crucial rallying point in battle.
All set for The King's Birthday Parade! pic.twitter.com/jbangtZvA3
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 15, 2024
At the event, Prince Louis was seen dancing along the proceedings.
Prince Louis dances along to proceedings.#TroopingTheColour pic.twitter.com/nehvzkNQUm
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) June 15, 2024
King Charles III's Birthday Parade
Charles, who is also undergoing treatment for undisclosed cancer, travelled in a carriage with Queen Camilla, unlike last year when he rode on horseback. He inspected the troops from a dais, saluting as elite regiments of Foot Guards marched past.
Five regiments take turns parading their color, and this year it was the turn of the Irish Guards, with Kate as their honorary colonel. The troops, wearing scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, were led by their mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus.
Charles, 75, disclosed his cancer diagnosis in February and has recently resumed public duties. He attended the 80th-anniversary commemorations of D-Day last week.
In a tradition of British royalty, Saturday was not the king's actual birthday, which is in November. Like his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has an official birthday celebration in June, chosen for the typically favorable weather. However, early sunshine gave way to blustery, rainy weather in London.
The rain held off for most of the ceremony but began pouring as the troops escorted the royal carriages back to Buckingham Palace, drawing cheers from the enthusiastic but soaked crowd. Royal fans in raincoats and umbrellas lined the route hours before the start, along with some anti-monarchist protesters chanting "Not my king."
Spectators enjoyed a display of military precision involving 1,400 soldiers, 250 military musicians, and over 200 horses. The horses included Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish, three of the five military horses that caused chaos in April when they bolted and ran loose through central London.
The army reported that the other two horses are recovering well and are also expected to return to duty.
Top Headlines
Trending News
