Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis looked in good spirits as they joined their mother, the Princess of Wales, at Trooping the Color today.
Kate, who has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since the end of February, made her high-profile return to public life with her children by her side as she joined them for the traditional procession through London today.
The royal, 42, was on hand to ensure George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, enjoyed a family day out to celebrate their grandfather’s birthday – with her presence it means that they do not have to travel without one in the carriage. from their parents.
Prince William will take part in the parade on horseback, while his children will appear in a carriage alongside their mother.
Kate’s presence will also be reassuring to the youngsters as they watch the flight pass by from the balcony of Buckingham Palace – where Prince Louis famously covered his ears to block out the noise in 2022.
Prince Louis looks out the car window as the family enters Buckingham Palace today
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis looked in good spirits as they joined their mother, the Princess of Wales, at Trooping the Color today
George is sitting in the car in London today between his mother Kate and father Prince William
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
Princess Charlotte looks out the window as the family arrives at Buckingham Palace today
Ahead of her performance, the princess penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support through her cancer diagnosis and revealing she was looking forward to attending the traditional ceremonial day.
In March, the princess announced that she was undergoing ‘preventive chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of the disease. Her treatment is still ongoing and will last several months.
Although she will not return to public duties full-time, she revealed that she is now feeling well enough to take on a small number of public duties in the coming months.
To mark the news, Kensington Palace also released a stunning new portrait of the princess, taken in Windsor this week by Matt Porteous, which shows her looking good and in a thoughtful mood.
In her message, the princess says she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by all the sweet messages of support and encouragement over the past few months.
“It really has made a world of difference to William and I and helped us both through the tougher times,” she wrote.
Movingly, she reveals that she is making ‘good progress’, but adds: As anyone undergoing chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and need to rest your body. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of your good feelings.”
The Princess of Wales looks out at the rain as she arrives at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
She added: ‘My treatment is ongoing and will continue for a few more months. On the days when I feel well enough, it’s a joy to get busy with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, and start some work from home.
‘I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade with my family this weekend and hope to take part in some public performances this summer, but I also know I’m not out of the woods yet.
‘I’m learning to be patient, especially when it comes to uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body and allowing myself to take some much needed time to heal.
Thank you for your continued understanding, and to everyone who so courageously shared your stories with me.”
The princess first announced that she had cancer on March 22.
Lady Louise Windsor with her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, in London today
In a hugely moving video statement recorded in Windsor, she revealed she had been diagnosed after a serious abdominal operation in January and was already undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.
In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message, filmed just two days earlier, Catherine revealed that the news had come as a “huge shock” and that she and William “have done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of of safety’. our young family’.
“It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that suits them, and to reassure them that I am fine,” she said.
“As I told them; I am doing well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirit. It is also a great source of comfort and reassurance to have William by my side. As does the love, support and kindness shown by so many of you. It means so much to both of us.”
Kensington Palace said at the time that it would not share details about what type of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is, and asked people not to speculate.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said it was not cancer. In March they reconfirmed that this is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However, post-operative tests revealed that ‘cancer was present’.
A week ago, the royal family apologized for missing an important rehearsal for the event, writing to the Irish Guards and said: ‘I hope I can represent you all very soon’.