Kate Middleton ‘Not Well’: Trooping the Color Appearance Could Be ‘Grueling’ and ‘Daunting’ Says Insider
It’s the time of year when the royals take center stage at one of their calendar’s most significant public events. Trooping the Color is the sovereign’s annual birthday parade. However, a royal insider believes that Kate Middleton is “not well,” and any parade appearance could be “grueling” and “daunting.”
Kate Middleton’s cancer treatments may make any Trooping the Color appearance difficult.
In March 2024, Kate Middleton revealed in a videotaped message she was starting chemotherapy treatments for an undisclosed type of cancer. The disease was revealed during a planned abdominal surgery in January of this year.
Since March, Kate has remained out of the public eye. However, questions have been raised about whether she will make her first public appearance at this high-profile royal family event.
Arthur Edwards, The Sun‘s royal photographer, shared why he feels there’s no rush for Kate to return to the public eye. Particularly during an event where much attention is focused on her.
He writes, “When it was announced that Prince William was going to next week’s D-Day commemorations without Catherine, it made me wonder if she would be fit enough to attend Trooping the Color rehearsal. Even when you are fully fit, the Colonel’s Review is quite a difficult day; getting in and out of carriages and later appearing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with her family.”
Edwards adds, “If you are not well, a day in the spotlight when you have to look your best can be quite grueling and daunting. Treatment for cancer is extremely tiring. Catherine may well have thought she could not cope with it at this stage of her recovery.”
The royal photographer believes Kate is a “wonderful ambassador for our country. But it is only right that she takes her time, gets properly better, and does not rush back to work.”
Kate Middleton has not carried out a royal engagement since December 2023. She appeared alongside the royal family on Christmas Day during a traditional church walk.
It’s confirmed Kate Middleton will not attend the annual Colonel’s Review
Kate Middleton was appointed Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022. She took over the position from her husband, Prince William.
Kate participated in the Colonel’s Review. ABC News reports a military general will carry out her Inspecting Officer role on June 8.
The Trooping the Color ceremony is scheduled to begin on June 15. In 2023, King Charles rode on horseback during the parade.
However, this year, Charles, who also battled cancer earlier this year, will reportedly ride in a carriage. Accompanying him will be his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort.
What is Trooping the Color?
The royal family’s website shares why Trooping the Color is such an important event on the royal calendar. It explains its longstanding tradition in the House of Windsor.
For 260 years, this annual parade has marked the sovereign’s birthday. However, it does not fall on their actual birthday.
The lively event is beloved by Britons, who celebrate the royal family. The most exciting part of the entire event comes at its close when the Royal Air Force does a fly-past over Buckingham Palace.
Members of the House of Windsor gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave to the crowds. They also watch the RAF fly-past.
In 2023, only 18 royal family members watched the festivities from the balcony of the London estate. These included King Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Edward, Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Edward, Prince Richard and Bridgette, Duchess of Gloucester.
