Kate is joined by her youngsters as they attend Trooping the Colour
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis looked in good spirits as they joined their mother, the Princess of Wales, at Trooping the Colour today.
Kate, who has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, made her high profile return to public life with her children by her side as she joined them for the traditional procession through London today.
The royal, 42, was on hand to ensure George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, enjoy the family day out to celebrate their grandfather’s birthday – with her presence meaning they don’t have to travel in the carriage without one of their parents.
Prince William will take part in the parade on horseback, while his children appear alongside their mother in a carriage.
Kate’s presence will also be reassuring for the youngsters as they watch the fly-past from the Buckingham Palace balcony – where Prince Louis famously covered his ears to block out the noise in 2022.
Prince Louis looks out from the window of the car as the family enter Buckingham Palace today
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis looked in good spirits as they joined their mother, the Princess of Wales , at Trooping the Colour today
George sits between his mother Kate and father Prince William in the car in London today
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
Princess Charlotte looks out the window as the family arrive at Buckingham Palace today
Ahead of her appearance, the Princess penned a moving personal message thanking the public for their support over her cancer diagnosis and revealing she is looking forward to attending the traditional ceremonial day.
Back in March, the Princess disclosed she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of the disease says her treatment is on going and will be for several months to come.
While she will not be returning to public duties full-time, she revealed that she does now feel well enough, however, to undertake a small number of public engagements in the coming months.
To mark the news Kensington Palace have also released a stunning new portrait of the princess taken at Windsor this week by Matt Porteous showing her looking well and in a reflective mood.
In her message the Princess says she has 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,’ she wrote.
Movingly she reveals she is making ‘good progress’, but adds: 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.’
The Princess of Wales looks out at the rain as she arrives at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
The Princess of Wales with Prince William and their three children in London this morning
She added: ‘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.’
The Princess first announced that she had cancer on March 22.
Lady Louise Windsor with her parents the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in London today
In a hugely moving video statement, recorded at Windsor, she revealed that she had been diagnosed following serious abdominal surgery in January and was already undergoing ‘preventative’ chemotherapy.
In a deeply personal, unprecedented and emotional video message filmed just two days earlier, Catherine revealed the news had come as a ‘huge shock’ and that she and William ‘have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family’.
‘It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok,’ she said.
‘As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.’
Kensington Palace said at the time that it would not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the princess has, or what stage of cancer it is and asked people not to speculate.
At the time of her abdominal surgery in January, Kensington Palace said that it was non-cancerous. They confirmed again in March that is the case and that no tests had confirmed the presence of cancer. However post-operative tests subsequently found that cancer ‘had been present’.
A week ago, the royal apologised for missing out on a key rehearsal for the event, writing a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: ‘I hope I am able to represent you all very soon’.
