Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kate supported by George, Louis and Charlotte in first public appearance since cancer diagnosis

Princess has made her first public appearance since revealing cancer diagnosis in March

Nicole Vassell
Saturday 15 June 2024 11:52 BST
Comments
Princess of Wales and children booed by protesters during Trooping the Colour parade

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Princess of Wales was joined by her three children as she attended Saturday’s Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking her first public appearance after revealing her cancer diagnosis in March.

Kate, 42, has been receiving treatment for an unspecified form of cancer since February, when the disease was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery.

The senior royal made her first public appearance of the year for a traditional parade through London for the King’s official birthday celebrations.

Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte look out at the crowds while their mother smiles and waves
Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte look out at the crowds while their mother smiles and waves (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
Charlotte joined her brothers in supporting their mother
Charlotte joined her brothers in supporting their mother (Getty Images)

Click here for our live coverage of the parade.

Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis travelled with Kate in a horse-drawn glass carriage.

She was surrounded by other members of the family, with her husband the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, on horseback, along with the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.

King Charles, who is also being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, inspected the troops alongside Queen Camilla from a different carriage.

Kate was beaming from the carriage as she watched the parade with her youngest, Louis
Kate was beaming from the carriage as she watched the parade with her youngest, Louis (EPA)
The parade is the first time the princess has been seen in public since Christmas
The parade is the first time the princess has been seen in public since Christmas (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Charles, 75, disclosed his cancer a month before Kate, and has recently eased back into public duties, including attending commemorations last week for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Kate, Charles and the family will watch the ceremony from a building overlooking Horse Guards Parade, a ceremonial parade ground in central London.

When the royal carriages finally came to a stop Louis was the first to leave, followed by his elder brother George and sister Charlotte.

George looks out at the crowd as the carriage proceeds along the route
George looks out at the crowd as the carriage proceeds along the route (Getty Images)
Kate leaving the carriage as her three children wait
Kate leaving the carriage as her three children wait (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Finally, Kate stepped down wearing a Jenny Packham dress, hat by Philip Treacy and the Irish Guards Regimental Brooch, as she is the regiment’s Colonel.

Kate announced on Friday that she would attend the King’s Birthday Parade after making “good progress” in her treatment.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” Kate said in a statement, adding that she faces “a few more months” of treatment.

Admitting that she is “not out of the woods yet”, the Princess said she has returned to light duties and helping her three children with their schoolwork when she feels well enough.

The Princess of Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive for the Trooping the Colour ceremony (Yui Mok/PA)
The Princess of Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte arrive for the Trooping the Colour ceremony (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Support from the public has made a deep impression on the princess, who said she had been “blown away” by the “kind messages” that had made a “world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times”.

Though the King’s birthday is in November, the monarch marks it on the second Saturday of June, as did his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Since 10.30am, spectators have been treated to a display of pomp and precision involving more than 1,000 soldiers, 250 military musicians and more than 200 horses.

Among the equine participants in the ceremony include Trojan, Tennyson, and Vanquish, three of the five military horses who sparked mayhem in April when they bolted and ran loose through central London.

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in