This weekend marks the highly anticipated Trooping the Colour event, a traditional parade celebrating the sovereign’s birthday that has been a royal tradition for over two centuries. The event draws in crowds from all over the country, eager to catch a glimpse of the royal family gathered on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony.
One of the key highlights of the event is the presence of the Princess of Wales and her three children. Royal enthusiasts especially look forward to seeing the candid expressions of Prince Louis during the RAF flypast. However, the Princess, aged 42, has been undergoing preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed cancer since March. She has been focusing on her recovery and has refrained from making any public appearances since Christmas.
While there has been speculation about her potential attendance at this year’s Trooping the Colour, Kensington Palace has not confirmed or denied her participation. It was previously stated that she would resume royal duties only upon receiving clearance from her medical team. Despite this, there is a possibility that she may make a brief appearance at the event, provided she feels well enough to do so.
Trooping the Colour is an event shrouded in secrecy when it comes to disclosing which family members will be present. Therefore, it may only be on the day of the event that the public will find out if the Princess will attend. Her presence at the ceremony would follow her absence from the recent Trooping rehearsal, the Colonel’s Review, where she was expected to take on a significant role as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.
In a heartfelt message to the regiment, the Princess expressed her regret at missing the rehearsal and conveyed her pride in the troops’ dedication and hard work. Despite her absence, she remains committed to her role as Colonel Catherine and hopes to represent the regiment in the near future.
Additionally, this year’s Trooping the Colour will also see a slight modification in the King’s participation due to his ongoing cancer treatment. The monarch, aged 75, will be inspecting the soldiers from a carriage instead of on horseback. He has been gradually resuming his public engagements while prioritizing his health and well-being.
Although the event may look different this year with the Princess and the King adapting their roles, Trooping the Colour remains a joyous occasion that brings the royal family and the public together in celebration. The shared attention on all family members in attendance, including the resilience and strength displayed by the Princess and the King, adds a poignant and hopeful touch to this year’s festivities.