Royal superfans armed with cardboard cut outs of the Princess of Wales have descended on The Mall ahead of the Trooping of the Colour.
It was announced this evening that Kate Middleton will undertake her first public engagement since her cancer diagnosis at the King’s official birthday parade tomorrow.
Leading her legion of wellwishers to set up camp along the iconic London road, donned in Union Jack flags and life-size cut outs of the Princess, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her.
She is expected to not only join the rest of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, but to also ride in a state carriage down the Mall with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
In the video you also see the group produced two life-size cardboard cut outs of Kate from their bags, as they set up for her arrival tomorrow, to which the reporter jokes ‘oh she’ll be seeing double’
A CNN reporter speaking to the happy gathering groups in a video published to X asks ‘will [you] be camping out’, to which one man responds gleefully ‘exactly’
Another woman even flashed a glimpse of a dress neatly folded away ‘for tomorrow’ with loveheart shaped union jacks covering it
Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of cancer, has been absent from public while undergoing treatment
A CNN reporter speaking to the happy gathering groups in a video published to X asks ‘will [you] be camping out’, to which one man responds gleefully ‘exactly’.
Another woman proudly told her story of meeting King Charles on his walkabout around Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday.
In the video you also see the group produced two life-size cardboard cut outs of Kate from their bags, as they set up for her arrival tomorrow, to which the reporter jokes ‘oh she’ll be seeing double’.
Another woman even flashed a glimpse of a dress neatly folded away ‘for tomorrow’ with loveheart shaped union jacks covering it.
It can be starkly compared to the hundreds of people who camped on the Mall for the coronation of King Charles III last May.
Several days before Coronation Day, a sea of tents appeared on the Mall, donned in Union Flags and stocked up with food, booze and bunting.
Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of the disease, released a candid statement today saying she is making ‘good progress’ in her treatment
King Charles is set to welcome the Princess of Wales back to public duties tomorrow at the Trooping the Colour parade. It will mark the first time the monarch and future Queen have been publicly seen together since undergoing their respective treatments. Charles and Kate are pictured together in September 2021
Joan, 70, has been camping out since Wednesday and burst into tears after shaking King Charles’ hand, she said: ‘Charles stepped out of the car and walked towards us and he said has anybody over nighted and he was shaking a few hands
Royal enthusiasts are seen camped on The Mall as preparations continue for The Coronation
Joan, 70, camped for four days and burst into tears after shaking King Charles’ hand, she said: ‘Charles stepped out of the car and walked towards us and he said has anybody over nighted and he was shaking a few hands.
‘I said yes I did and he looked and he could see that my hair is really sticking up, and yes I am sleeping one the pavement, he leaned forward purposefully and shook my hand.
‘It was just so beautiful, I am proud of being here today. I burst into tears afterwards.
‘I have been here for William’s wedding, Harry’s wedding, the jubilee and now I’ve come for the coronation. I wish himself and Camilla the very best. I think they’re both good people.’
Kate, 42, who revealed back in March that she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for an undisclosed form of cancer, has been absent from public while undergoing treatment.
Charles, who was diagnoses with cancer in February, has just recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving his own course of treatment for an undisclosed form of the disease.
King Charles is ‘delighted’ by the Princess of Wales ‘ brave decision to attend the Trooping the Colour as she continues to battle cancer, a Buckingham spokesperson has said. Charles is pictured with Queen Camilla on March 31, 2024 in Windsor
2019 — William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019
2017 — Philip speaks to William and Kate at Trooping The Colour in London on June 17, 2017
Tomorrow’s busy, high-profile appearance to celebrate the King’s birthday will also mark the first time the monarch and future Queen have been publicly seen together since undergoing their respective treatments.
It is understood that Kate spoke to the King in advance about her attendance during tomorrow’s festivities.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘His Majesty is delighted that The Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events and is very much looking forward to all elements of the day.’
The Princess is and remains the Colonel of the Irish Guards but under the circumstances, Lieutenant General James Bucknall is taking the salute on her behalf.
No10 and The Cabinet Office have been informed of The Princess’ decision to attend Trooping, and they have informed the opposition parties.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the development as ‘wonderful news’, saying during a press conference at the G7 in Italy: ‘It’s obviously wonderful, wonderful news. The whole country will be behind the Princess of Wales for her recovery.
‘I saw her statement earlier, I thought it was brave, I thought it was honest and I’m sure it will bring an enormous amount of comfort to so many other people who are grappling with similar health challenges, so I think she deserves enormous praise for what she said and it will be great to see her there tomorrow.’