Palace issues rare Kate update amid cancer treatment

Details about the absent Princess of Wales have been scarce since she shared her diagnosis – but the Palace has just released new information.

The Princess of Wales has been ruled out of taking part in a high-profile event next month, following speculation about her return to work.

Kate, who revealed her cancer diagnosis in an emotional video statement in March, has been out of the public eye for the majority of the year while undergoing treatment.

Details about her condition have been scarce throughout the process, but on Thursday, UK time, the Palace confirmed she would not be participating in the Colonel’s Review on June 8. After being made colonel in chief of the Irish Guards in 2023, Kate would ordinarily be expected to take the salute.

William and Kate meeting with members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards following their St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot, UK, in March 2023. Picture: Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP

It comes as King Charles – who revealed his own cancer diagnosis in February – confirmed his attendance at the Trooping the Colour on June 15, weeks after resuming official duties on medical advice.

While the monarch will be back in action for the major royal outing, a significant tweak has been made to his schedule as a result of his condition.

He will undergo the traditional inspection of the soldiers from a carriage, rather than the usual horseback.

The update about Kate’s attendance at the Colonel’s Review comes just days after a report emerged that she had “turned a corner” with her treatment recently.

“It has been a great relief that she is tolerating the medication and is actually doing a lot better,” royal insiders told Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales’ inner circle had “rallied around” them.

Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in an emotional video statement in March.

While it’s certainly a positive development, sources close to Kate have indicated she won’t return to work until September at the earliest.

“No one wants to put any pressure on Catherine,” one told the Daily Mail last week.

“The only thing that matters at the moment is her getting better. She has been through an ordeal this year.”

In March, Kate revealed the shocking details of her private health battle, revealing that her diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” and that she was now undergoing “preventive chemotherapy.”

“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” she said in her video statement.

“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”