It’s official. Kate Middleton will take part in one of the most important days on the royal calendar — the Trooping of the Color — and that’s “a very positive and happy surprise,” royal expert Katie Nicholl tells ET.
The Color Troop – a 260-year-old tradition marking the official celebration of the monarch’s birthday and which includes a huge parade of soldiers, horses and musicians – is ingrained in the fabric of British society, just like scones and afternoon tea. . That the Princess of Wales has made so much progress amid her battle with cancer that she feel well enough to attend It’s big news, to say the least.
“I think it came as a surprise to most of us that Katherine announced she will be participating in Trooping (of the Color),” Nicholl told ET. “There was some speculation that she might be well enough to be on the balcony. As ET reported, we know that the Princess of Wales turned a corner in his treatment, and we know she will be on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. And I think it’s a surprise and a very positive and happy surprise too.”
The mother of three announced on Friday that her cancer treatment is ongoing and that she will be undergoing treatment “for a few more months.” Although she added that she is looking forward to attending the King’s birthday parade with her family this weekend, Kate also expressed caution knowing that she is “hasn’t left the forest yet.”
Kate’s last public appearance took place in December, when she and her family – husband Prince William and children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – attended the Christmas Day service in the UK. constant speculation regarding her whereabouts. That is, until Kate announced his cancer diagnosis on March 22. Amid recovery, the royal family maintained a busy schedule. William recently visited Normandy, where alongside President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries, he participated in a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Juno Beach. William’s appearance may have given a clue that Kate was improving.
“The fact that William was able to go and do the D-Day commemorations in Normandy, I think they signaled that at home things were getting better,” says Nicholl.
Trooping the Color is an annual global event, but with Kate announcing she will be attending – which will mark her first public appearance in six months – the world will now be watching even more intently. And what they will see, for the first time in a long time, is a sense of stability that has been missing amid Kate’s cancer diagnosis, as well as Charles’s battle with cancer. According to Nicholl, having the monarch and Kate will convey an important message.
“It’s a very important image to project to the world,” Nicholl says of Kate’s planned balcony appearance on Saturday.
She adds: “So, up there on that balcony you’re seeing the royal family together, despite having been through a very turbulent time. And I think this will send a very important message.”
Kate’s health update was also accompanied by a new portrait, taking her first photo since announcing her cancer diagnosis. In the portrait, Kate leans against a lush tree dressed in jeans and a beige blazer. The photo also offered more clues.
“Now we hear for the first time since the princess’s own cancer diagnosis a message she herself wrote alongside a newly released photo,” says Nicholl, “in which, I must say, she looks incredibly healthy and very, very well. “
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