The Princess of Wales has announced she will attend Trooping the Colour - King Charles' formal birthday celebration - on Saturday and said she ‘hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer’ as she continues treatment for cancer ‘for a few more months’.
Kate, 42, issued a rare update on her cancer diagnosis today, saying she has 'good days and bad days'. In her first personal message to the public since announcing her diagnosis, the royal said she is 'making good progress'.
The princess, who revealed her diagnosis in a video in March, continued: "I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
READ MORE: 'I have good days and bad days': New Kate Middleton statement in full
"I am 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."
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Kate reveals lessons learned during time away from public-facing duties
Kate, the Princess of Wales, has told how she learned several lessons during her time away from public-facing duties while receiving preventative cancer treatment.
In her personal message issued today, the Princess said: “I'm looking forward to attending The King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. I am 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.”
Kate Middleton reveals how she's been spending her time while focusing on her recovery
In a personal message released today, Kate said:
“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."
Prince William's heartwarming reaction to Kate returning to work
Prince William has said he is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her.
It has been confirmed by Kensington Palace that the Prince will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties.
Rishi Sunak calls Kate Middleton's return to public life 'wonderful, wonderful news'
The Prime Minister has said the whole country will be behind Kate as she continues her recovery.
Rishi Sunak said it is "wonderful, wonderful news" to hear the Princess of Wales will attend Trooping the Colour in London on Saturday, three months after she announced her cancer diagnosis, the Mirror reports.
Responding to the news at a press conference for the G7 summit in Italy, Mr Sunak said: "It's wonderful, wonderful news. I think the whole country will be behind the Princess of Wales in her recovery.
"I saw her statement earlier, I thought it was brave, I thought it was honest and I'm sure it will bring great comfort to so many other people who are grappling with similar health issues."
New photos of Kate released
New photographs of Kate Middleton taken earlier this week in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate have been released today.
The pictures shows Kate in a smart casual outfit stood in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a body of water.
What we knew about the Princess of Wales' diagnosis and treatment before today’s announcement
In March Kate, 42, announced that she was undergoing the early stages of preventative chemotherapy after tests following her abdominal surgery in January discovered cancer present.
Kate began a special medicine called preventative chemotherapy at the end of February. Kensington Palace explained, "The Princess is now on a recovery pathway having commenced a course of preventative chemotherapy."
Kate's original operation took place at a private hospital in London called The London Clinic, though it is unknown where and how the Princess is receiving her current treatment. Kensington Palace will not be sharing these details.
It is understood Kate's medical team will consider a range of factors for her healthcare, including the potential impact on other patients.
Read more here
Kate questions answered by Palace ahead of first appearance since cancer diagnosis
Here are some of the key questions answered by the palace ahead of Kate’s public appearance tomorrow:
How is The Princess doing?
Kate had said she is ‘making good progress’ and is ‘looking forward’ to joining the family
tomorrow.
How is her treatment going?
Kate said she has ‘good and bad days’ but is making ‘good progress’. She added her treatment is "ongoing and will be for a few more months"
How is The Prince?
The Prince is pleased to see The Princess starting to engage with the work and projects
that are important to her. He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children,while continuing to undertake his public duties.
Will Kate be on the balcony tomorrow?
The Princess will appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the family, it is understood. However, as The Princess’ recovery and wellbeing remains the priority, plans may be amended at short notice.
Where will the children be and what will they do?
The Princess will travel with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a state carriage down the Mall, it is understood.
Will Kate be making a full return to public engagements?
The Princess of Wales said she hopes to attend further engagements over the summer, but she added she knows she is "not out of the woods yet".
The MEN understands Kate may be keen to attend events over the course of the summer, as and when she feels able to, with the support and guidance of her medical team. However it is understood that the Princess’s attendance at any public events this summer will not be a return to a full schedule of public engagements.
What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour, held on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, is a major fixture in the Royal's calendar and marks the sovereign's birthday. The King has confirmed his attendance, despite his own cancer battle.
During the ceremony, it is understood the King will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from an Ascot Landau carriage with the Queen, instead of on horseback as he did last year. The change reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by the King would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors.
The parade involves more than 1,400 officers and soldiers, around 200 horses and over 400 musicians. After the ceremony, members of the royal family traditionally gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
It is understood that Kate is expecting to join her family on the balcony this year.Kate will travel in a state carriage with her children down the Mall and watch the parade from the Major General’s Office.
Kate Middleton’s statement in full
Kate's message in full:
"I have 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.
"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
"My treatment is ongoing and will be 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.
"I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
"I am 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.
"Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me."
Kate Middleton issues rare cancer update in moving statement
The Princess of Wales has issued a rare update on her cancer diagnosis, saying she has 'good days and bad days'.
In her first personal message to the public since announcing her diagnosis, the royal said she is 'making good progress' and continuing her treatment.
Kate also confirmed that she will attend Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 15, which will be her first in-person public engagement since her diagnosis.
The princess, who announced the news of her cancer diagnosis in March, said she has been attending meetings when well enough, but her chemotherapy treatment continues
The MEN understands Kate may be keen to attend events over the course of the summer, as and when she feels able to, with the support and guidance of her medical team.
However it is understood that the Princess’s attendance at any public events this summer will not be a return to a full schedule of public engagements.
Read more here
