Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year at the 2024 Trooping the Colour, a parade that celebrates the official birthday of the U.K. monarch.
Leading up to the event, which took place Saturday, many wondered if the former Kate Middleton would attend, as she hadn't made an official public appearance since December 2023. The day beforehand, however, the princess issued a rare statement updating fans on her treatment, which includes chemotherapy, and confirmed she would be in attendance.
Since Kate was seen at the parade, there has been much speculation about how the day impacted her health and what lengths the royal family had to go to in order to have her there. She looked composed and chic as ever in a black-and-white Jenny Packham dress, one of her go-to brands, and a white hat. Behind-the-scenes footage showed her smiling and playing with her children.
She also continued the royal tradition of waving at the crowd from the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside her husband, Prince William, their children and her in-laws, King Charles II and Queen Camilla.
In her statement from Friday, Catherine shared that she's been making "good progress" with her treatment and has a few months of chemotherapy left, but stressed she's "not out of the woods yet."
Kate first revealed that she'd been diagnosed with cancer in March. Prior to Friday's statement, she had not spoken publicly about her diagnosis or treatment since her initial announcement.
Kate Middleton attends Trooping the Colour 2024
Kate attended Trooping the Colour alongside William and their three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. They arrived in a carriage down the Mall and waved at the public from the balcony, as is tradition.
The future king and queen's official Instagram account shared some moments from the day, including Catherine adjusting her daughter's hair and Louis waving through the windows of one of the carriages.
The news that Kate would attend Trooping the Colour surprised many royal watchers, as she skipped the rehearsal for it, an event known as the Colonel's Review, on June 8.
When confirming her presence, Kate was quick to share that she's not yet officially returning to her royal duties, writing that she hopes “to join a few public engagements over the summer,” but noting she is “not out of the woods yet.”
Prior to Trooping the Colour, the princess had not made any royal appearances since her family’s annual Christmas church outing in 2023 — though last month she took time to review a report from an initiative she’s involved in, The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, a senior palace aid confirmed.
She has been working from home occasionally, including some meetings when she feels well enough.
Kate Middleton shares new photo
Accompanying Friday's statement, the palace released a new picture of the princess. In the photo, she wears jeans and a tan blazer and looks pensive standing against a tree.
The day after the statement was released, the princess was photographed repeatedly at Trooping the Colour 2024.
Kate Middleton gives health update
In her statement shared Friday, the princess thanked people for "all the kind messages of support and encouragement" she's received since March.
"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," she said.
Her treatment is "ongoing" and will continue for "a few more months," she 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,” the princess said.
In closing, the princess shared that she is “learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty.”
“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me,” she said.
Read Princess Kate's full statement about her health
A WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCESS OF WALES
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.
What kind of cancer does Kate Middleton have?
Kate Middleton has not shared what kind of cancer she was diagnosed with. The cancer was discovered after she underwent planned abdominal surgery in January.
