Princess of Wales makes first appearance since cancer diagnosis

The Princess of Wales has appeared in public for the first time this year, as she begins her return to public life with an all-family outing at Trooping the Colour.

Catherine, who is still undergoing chemotherapy, travelled by car for the King’s Birthday Parade, and was seen sitting with Prince William and their children as they arrived at Buckingham Palace.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, travels along The Mall to the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, in London.Credit: AP

She was then seen in the Glass State Coach with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they made their way to Horse Guards Parade for the full pomp and ceremony of Britain’s Armed Forces.

The King and Queen were also travelling by carriage, a concession to Charles’ own cancer treatment, while the Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Royal went on horseback.

This year, the Irish Guards will be centre changed, with the Princess of Wales as their Colonel-in-Chief. She was unable to perform her first major public duties of the role at their rehearsal last week, instead sending a letter of support in which she said she hoped to represent them soon.

The Princess of Wales with her children, Prince Louis, front, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.Credit: nna\KCampbell

On Saturday, she was watching from the Major General’s Office with her children and other members of the family, before that all-important appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the traditional flypast.

Palace aides have emphasised that her appearance does not mean a full return to work.

The princess has begun working from home when she feels able, has attended some meetings, and hopes to attend further unspecified public engagements over the summer.

In a personal statement, she said she was making “good progress” in her treatment but was “not out of the woods yet” and had “good days and bad days”.

It is understood that she was particularly focused on supporting her children during their public outing at Trooping, as well as the King.

She has not been seen on public duty so far this year, having major abdominal surgery in January and in March releasing a personal video telling the world she was having preventative chemotherapy following the discovery of cancer.

Members of the royal family on the the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view the flypast following the Trooping the Colour ceremony.Credit: AP

At the time of the update, on March 22, the palace said the Princess would return to official duties only when she was “cleared to do so by her medical team”.

“She may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice,” added a source then. “Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.”

It was the first time the princess has been photographed with the wider royal family since Christmas Day, on the annual walk to Sandringham church.

On January 17, Kensington Palace announced the princess was undergoing abdominal surgery, in hospital for up to two weeks and out of the public eye until at least Easter.

She was seen with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a Mother’s Day photograph, taken by Prince William and later revealed to have been edited.

In March, the Sun published a video of the prince and princess out at the Windsor Farm Shop.

It is understood that Princess Catherine was particularly focused on supporting her children during their public outing.Credit: Getty Images

Shortly afterwards, the princess filmed her own video explaining that she had experienced complications following her surgery.

Post-operative tests had shown cancer had been present, she said, and she had begun a course of preventative 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 then.

“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.”

King Charles during Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade in London on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images

The princess has since been kept abreast of developments in her Early Years project, and wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, but has kept entirely out of the public eye.

In a statement released on Friday, she said: “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 Telegraph, London

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