All eyes will be on Princess Kate on Saturday, who is due to make her comeback in public since being treated for cancer, during the traditional military parade organized for the birthday of King Charles III.
While it has been six months – since her last appearance shortly before Christmas – since she withdrew from any public commitment to undergo preventive chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales announced Friday evening that she would attend this festive event due to the “good progress” of his treatment.
In a message posted on social networks, Prince William’s wife gave news of his health for the first time since announcing his illness in a video at the end of March.
“I’m making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days,” Kate, 42, wrote in the post, alongside a photo taken this week in Windsor according to its services.
She specified that her treatment must continue “for several more months” and described how on the most difficult days, she feels “weak, tired”, and conversely wants to “make the most of the moments when she feels better.
“I am looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to be able to take part in some public engagements this summer, knowing that I am not out of the woods yet,” she announces again, thanking the public for their support.
He is usually present in large numbers to attend this military parade, called Salute to the Colors (Trooping the color) and marking the sovereign’s birthday in June since 1748, even if Charles III celebrates his 76th birthday on November 14.
There is no doubt that many admirers of the royal family will especially make the trip to try to see Kate, the glamorous asset of the monarchy.
Hello to the balcony
The princess should thus travel the Mall, the main avenue which leads to Buckingham Palace, in a carriage, accompanied by her three children, and join the other members of the royal family after the parade for the salute on the balcony.
The king, also suffering from cancer and currently undergoing treatment, will be present, having resumed his public engagements at the end of April, after his doctors said they were “sufficiently satisfied with the progress made so far”.
His first trip was to visit a cancer treatment center.
He also went to France at the beginning of June with Queen Camilla for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the landing in Normandy.
The royal couple is due to receive Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako for a state visit at the end of June.
But this year, the king will participate in the military parade aboard a carriage and not on horseback like last year, the palace said.
His son and heir to the throne William, 41, will be on horseback during the parade, which starts from Buckingham Palace, goes down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the sovereign receives the royal salute before inspecting The troops.
Police have warned the event will require a “significant” security operation, as the anti-monarchy Republic movement plans to demonstrate.
Objects such as megaphones or other “sound amplifiers” will be prohibited on the route, so as not to disturb the horses of the mounted regiments taking part, indicated the police.