Kate Middleton attends King's birthday parade, her first public appearance post cancer diagnosis: LIVE updates

Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte co-ordinated the colour of their outfits today with a nautical theme in a touching mother-daughter tribute.

Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with 200 horses and over 400 musicians.

Thousands of soldiers have started marching down The Mall as crowds cheer after spotting Kate Middleton arrive for the ceremony with her husband and children.

After months long absence Kate Middleton made her first public appearance as she arrived at the Buckingham Palace to attend the Trooping of Colours ceremony. At 1pm, she is set to gather with King Charles and Queen Camilla, her husband Prince William and other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the RAF flypast.

Royal fans have begun to gather on The Mall today for the Princess of Wales' first public appearance this year at Trooping the Colour. Kate, who has been receiving treatment for cancer since late February, will join the traditional procession in a carriage with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. She will later appear on Buckingham Palace's balcony with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other royals for the RAF flypast.

Scotland Yard has deployed a significant number of professional for the event. Anti-monarchy group Republic is allowed to protest but cannot use amplified sound. Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers are securing the route, with tens of thousands expected to attend. The public is advised to stand on The Mall or at St James's Park from 9am, with the parade starting at 10am. BBC One's coverage begins at 10.30am and concludes after the flypast at 1pm.

The Princess has no further events scheduled in her calendar for the year. After she admitted she is 'not out of the woods yet',Kate will not attend Garter Day and the Royal Ascot, sources have said. There is still no clarity on whether she will be seen at the that Wimbledon, the Japanese State Visit, and other engagements.

Ever since Kate made her cancer diagnosis public she has stopped attending royal duties. Reports suggest she Kate has begun to work from home, spends time relaxing in nature and is hopeful 'to join a few public engagements over the summer'.

She started to work a little from home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. She holds meetings with her private secretary and senior staff, the Mail reported.

In addition to briefings from her team at Kensington Palace, The Royal Foundation and the Centre for Early Childhood, the Princess has also started to undertake meetings relating to her work and projects.

From now on, these will be documented in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements.

Royal commentator, Arthur Edwards, analysed Kate's image and message and stated, “She’s very honest about her ongoing cancer treatment but this picture makes it clear she’s winning her battle.” He went on to add, “Her sense of duty is just inspirational. She’s a true fighter and a credit to the Royal Family and her country.”

Even as all eyes will be on Kate Middleton during King's birthday parade, two important figures who would be absent from the royal ceremony would be Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Second year in a row they were not invited for the ceremony after they stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California. However, they had attended the event in 2018 and 2019.

The couple have slammed the Firm on multiple occasions since fleeing to the US, including in their bombshell television interview with Oprah Winfrey, their six-part Netflix documentary, as well as Harry’s memoir, “Spare.”

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.

C

Royal observer analysis Kate Middleton's cancer update, says all of this comes with caveats. “We're told we shouldn't see this as the princess returning to full royal duties.” The Duchess is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment and will work with doctors to decide how much it is wise for her to do. There have been reports suggesting she may not resume royal duties till year end.

King Charles III has expressed he is “delighted” that Kate Middleton will be attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony with the royal family amidst the “cancer battle”.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, “His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day.” Read More

The Trooping the Colour ceremony starts at Buckingham Palace and moves down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. It is where Charles will receive a royal salute before inspecting soldiers. The parade will commence from 10:00 AM london time or 5am ET.

Kate is expected to travel with Prince George, aged 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis in a state carriage down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Whereas William will be on horseback.

They will watch the parade from a building before returning to the palace for a balcony appearance.

Trooping the Colour marks the British sovereign's official birthday and is a minutely choreographed military tradition dating back more than two centuries.

The annual celebration of the King’s birthday in summer is set to be held on Saturday, June 15 London. This will be the occasion when Kate Middleton will step into public glare after 7 months hiatus. The tradition is almost 260 years old which includes the gathering of the royal family. The celebration will be held at Horse Guards Parade and commence from 5:00 am ET. King Charles III will travel down on a horse from Buckingham Palace to The Mall. Read More