Catherine thrills in first public appearance since cancer diagnosis
This was a celebration of King Charles’ birthday, but the Trooping the Colour was also a significant milestone for the Princess of Wales, as she greeted thousands of well wishers on the Mall.
This was a celebration of King Charles’ birthday, but the Trooping the Colour was also a significant milestone for the Princess of Wales, her first public appearance since Christmas Day.
The two royals, the King and his daughter-in-law both battling cancer, greeted thousands of well wishers who had lined The Mall, some waiting more than 20 hours.
With a beaming smile and calm wave, Catherine looked serene sitting in a glass carriage next to her youngest, the cheeky Prince Louis, while Prince George and Princess Charlotte looked amazed at the crowds which lined the route.
The leaden skies and persistent rain didn’t dampen the spirits at the big military parade and many were thrilled that Catherine was feeling well enough to attend.
One spectator who said she was a “Kathryn with a K”, was holding a large cardboard cutout of Catherine said “her appearance is so wonderful, she looks amazing too, I hope she feels as good as she looks’’.
Wearing a white outfit and black and white hat, a change from her usual green as Colonel of the Irish Guards, Catherine then watched the Trooping parade from the Major General’s Office with the rest of the royal family.
Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw told the BBC: “It just lifts the whole occasion for us and it means we’ve got to be even better today.’’
Catherine had earlier said she wasn’t out of the woods yet in her cancer battle and admitted to having good days and bad days, and Saturday’s stylish appearance was, hopefully, one of the good ones.
Charles, who has rescheduled his cancer treatment in order to attend big events, such as D-Day, was also made more comfortable in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla. Prince William, Prince Edward and Princess Anne rode on horseback.
Trooping the Colour featured 1000 military personnel and 200 horses, including three of the spooked horses which ran through London after unseating their riders in April. The two bloodied horses, Vida and Quaker, are still resting in the countryside, and Scotland Yard has banned the anti-monarchy group Republic from using amplified sound in their protests.
The Irish Guard regimental mascot, Seamus the wolfhound was a popular hit, leading the parade to Horseguards, where an Australian flag, alongside other realms, was flying high.
Charles had said he was delighted that the Princess was able to attend.
The heavy rain lifted in time for the balcony appearance by the Royals and a flypast of military aircraft and the ceremonial red, white and blue trails of the Red Arrows. Catherine stood next to Charles, with the two chatting. And as usual, Louis was excited to see the planes flying overhead.
On the eve of the Trooping, Catherine had issued a personal message, the first since her shock announcement in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Catherine, 42, wrote: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are
good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
She added that her treatment for cancer is ongoing and will be for a few more months.
“On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home,’’ she wrote.
“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.”
Catherine said that she was learning “how to be patient, especially with uncertainty”. She said she was taking each day as it comes, listening to her body, and allowing herself to take much needed time to heal.
She said: “Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”
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