The Princess of Wales, who has been recuperating from abdominal surgery since January 16, is set to review soldiers at the Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8.
The event will feature over 1,400 soldiers, serving as a precursor to the Trooping the Colour parade scheduled for the following weekend.
The official British army website announced the two dates on Tuesday, showcasing Princess Kate in her teal green attire as she inspected the Irish Guards on St. Patrick’s Day last year. King Charles appointed Princess Kate, aged 42, as the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards shortly after ascending to the throne in 2022.
This year, the Number 9 Company of the Irish Guards will lead the parade, indicating that Kate would typically conduct the Colonel’s Review the weekend before the event.
Trooping the Colour, the official celebration of King Charles’ birthday, is approaching, with the monarch, currently undergoing cancer treatment and maintaining a low profile since his diagnosis, listed by the British army as attending the parade on June 15.
Royal enthusiasts eagerly await any indication of Princess Kate’s return to public life, speculating that the Ministry of Defence’s announcement might provide such a clue.
However, there appears to be a misstep as the British military outlines arrangements for obtaining spectator tickets. Royal sources emphasize that it’s Kensington Palace’s prerogative to confirm the attendance of Prince William, 41, and Princess Kate at any official engagement.
Princess Kate has been a consistent presence at Trooping the Colour since marrying Prince William in 2011, except for the COVID-19 scaled-down period.
Typically, she rides in a horse-drawn carriage and joins the royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast. This year marks her first time conducting the Colonel’s Review.
The June 8 parade coincides with the Big Help Out volunteering days, dedicated to fostering community support. Last year, William, Kate, and their children participated in assisting a scouts group near their Windsor residence.
There’s a possibility that the Princess of Wales may make public appearances before Trooping the Colour in June. Officials indicated that she was unlikely to resume duties until after Easter, which falls on March 31.
Given her children’s school vacation until mid-April, it’s probable she’ll schedule her first official appearance shortly after.
Kate has been recovering at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor since leaving the hospital after a 13-day stay in January. She was recently seen being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, marking her first appearance since the operation.
Princess Kate’s surgery, announced by Kensington Palace on January 17, was described as successful in the statement. It stated,
“The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in the hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery.”
The statement also mentioned,
“Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private,” the statement continued.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.”
