Kate Middleton apologizes for missing Trooping the Colour event amid cancer battle: ‘Hope’ to ‘represent you all once again’
Kate Middleton apologized to the Irish Guards for her absence from the pre-Trooping the Colour rehearsal on Saturday.
“I wanted to write and let you know how proud of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping of the Colour,” the Princess of Wales, 42, penned in a letter shared on X to the Irish Guards — over whom she is an honorary colonel.
The Trooping the Colour parade celebrates the official birthday of the British Sovereign, King Charles III, and will take place June 15.
Kate Middleton apologized for missing the rehearsal for Trooping the Colour Saturday. WireImage
“I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate,” she wrote in a letter to the Irish Guards. UK Press via Getty Images
“I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon,” she added. Getty Images
“I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. Being your colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review,” she added.
“Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”
The regiment said they were “deeply touched by Middleton’s letter.
Middleton is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards. Getty Images
The Trooping the Colour celebrates the birthday of the British Sovereign, King Charles III. Getty Images
“We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit @KensingtonRoyal @ArmyInLondon,” they added.
Middleton’s absence comes amid her ongoing cancer battle, which she went public with in February after her noticeable absence from the public eye following an abdominal surgery caused major concern — and conspiracy theories — amongst her fans.
It remains unclear if she will make it to the official event next week. She has attended the Trooping the Colour parade every year since marrying Prince William in 2011, except for in 2020 and 2021 when the event was minimized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It is not known if she will attend the official Trooping the Colour parade, which will take place June 15. UK Press via Getty Images
She has attended every year since marrying Prince William, aside from 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Getty Images
A report from the Daily Beast released in May said people should not get their hopes up for her return to public-facing events any time soon.
“I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty. There is nothing planned,” an alleged royal source told the publication. “She may not appear in public for the rest of the year.”
Although Middleton’s schedule remains uncertain as she manages her health, a person close to her told Vanity Fair last month that she’s doing much better than she once was.
Middleton announced in February she was diagnosed with cancer. Getty Images
She has since taken a step back from her royal duties to focus on her health. Getty Images
In April, William claimed his wife was “doing well.” Getty Images
“It has been a great relief that she is tolerating the medication and is actually doing a lot better,” they said.
The pal also claimed her husband, William, 41, has “rallied around her” through the scary time.
The Prince of Wales gave a short but positive update regarding his wife’s health in April while visiting northern England.
“Yeah, we’re all doing well,” he said.