Trooping the Colour. Image credit: X/@Trooping
CMEDIA: Announcing reportedly nearly three months back after being diagnosed with cancer, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton (Catherine) said that she’s “making good progress” with her treatment.
Catherine, 42, also said in a message released by Kensington Palace Friday afternoon that plans to attend Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday.
It will be her first public appearance since Christmas.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said in the message and added,
“On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
While looking forward to attending Trooping the Colour with her family, she said that she hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer, but admitted she is “not out of the woods yet.”
Toronto-based author and historian Carolyn Harris said via email that Catherine’s return to public duties at Trooping the Colour is “highly significant…ceremony is the monarch’s official birthday in the United Kingdom and her regiment will be taking the salute,” Harris said.
Harris noted that Catherine has been careful to manage public expectations and added,
“Trooping the Colour may be the beginning of a gradual return to royal duties rather than an immediate return to a full schedule.”
Being a very positive news, the announcement will be welcomed by her fans, Chandrika Kaul, a professor of modern history at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland, said via email.
“It is a sure sign that her health is improving and a mark of respect for the occasion that she has made it her comeback event, as it were.”
Kaul said she thinks Catherine chose this moment for her return “because it was a family event, so the focus would not be solely on her.”
“I think she will feel supported by the fact that she will be surrounded by her loved ones.”
The announcement of Catherine’s participation in Trooping the Colour is also highly significant, Harris said, because there had been widespread speculation that she wouldn’t be there, given that she had missed a rehearsal.
“This event marks the return of the full complement of senior members of the Royal Family to public life.”
King Charles has also returned to public duties after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
After undergoing abdominal surgery in January, she had announced on March 22 that after the operation, cancer had been found to be present, but the form of cancer was not disclosed.
In Friday’s message, Catherine said she has “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.”
Catherine said her treatment will be ongoing 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 said she is “learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty.”
“Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal.”
She also thanked people for their “continued understanding” and those who have so “bravely shared” their stories with her.
