Kate Middleton is still undergoing treatment for cancer. The Princess of Wales announced the diagnosis to the world in mid-March, and the world came together to wish her all the best in her recovery.
Reports about her possible return to royal duties have varied in the later months, with one expert saying she might not be back until next year. No matter what, Kate Middleton is keeping out of the spotlight, and besides some minor updates from Prince William, no official new statement has been made on her recovery.
Summertime always means many traditional royal events, with the Trooping the Colour being one of the most popular ones. The royal family always gathers at the Buckingham Palace balcony to wave to thousands and thousands of fans.
Through the years, memorable moments have been captured while the family appears on the balcony. However, this year could become one of the most memorable. A new claim states that Kate Middleton could make a shock return – and appear on the balcony.
Kate Middleton has not been on public duty since last year. The Princess of Wales was first recovering from her planned abdominal surgery, but in February, she got the shocking news that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Kate Middleton – cancer diagnosis
In an emotional video, Kate revealed details about her cancer diagnosis.
“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London, and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful; however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore, advised that I should undergo a course of preventive chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” Kate Middleton said in her statement, recorded in the Windsor Gardens.
“This of course, came as a huge shock and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I’m going to be okay.”
Kate Middleton has not undertaken any public engagements this year as she has been recovering from her surgery and, as of the latest, undergoing preventive chemotherapy.
While it’s unclear when Kate will resume her royal duties, one condition appears to be met before she chooses to return.
“This is a clear commitment she has made that throughout her life of public service that this will be focus. That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now. She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors,” a royal aide told GB News.
Kensington Palace has stayed quiet about Kate Middleton’s cancer recovery. The Princess of Wales is surrounded and supported by her family, and time will tell when she will return.
Royal insider says Kate Middleton could be away from royal duties for the rest of the year
A new worrying claim was made just days ago that it will be long before royal fans see her in public again.
Speaking with the Daily Beast, a royal source said that Kate Middleton’s diary is “empty” for the rest of the year.
“Lots of people involved in planning need to know what all the principals are doing a long way in advance,” the royal source said. “I am told that Kate’s diary for this year is empty. There is nothing planned. She may not appear in public for the rest of the year.”
An alleged friend of Kate and William stated to the outlet that the Princess of Wales is prioritizing her mental health above anything else.
“The key thing for her now is avoiding any kind of stress or anxiety and just getting on with the business of getting better,” the insider added. “They will bail out and be off to Sandringham the moment school breKaks up.”
As mentioned, the video in which Kate MIddleton revealed her cancer diagnosis is the only time she has spoken in public about her health.
Conspiracy theories surrounding her went berserk all over the internet days before the video was released, and a source told the Daily Beast that a new video could be in the works.
“I would not rule out another video message updating the country on her health,” the insider said. “That proved to be a very effective way of keeping the conspiracy theorists at bay.”
Trooping the Colour – a royal tradition
As mentioned, the royal family has a packed schedule during the summer. However, one of the most popular among the public is definitely Trooping the Colour.
It has been a beloved royal tradition for hundreds of years. The Royal Museums Greenwich states that the tradition was first started by King George II in 1748.
As his November birthday was said to have been too cold to celebrate outside with a parade, they decided to have his military parade — Trooping the Colour — alongside the public celebration in the summer instead. Therefore, unless they happen to be born on the same day, Britain’s reigning monarch celebrates two birthdays a year. Trooping the Colour typically takes place every year on the second Saturday in June.
According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, Trooping the Colour originates on the battlefield. A regiment’s flag, also known as “colours,” was ever an important rallying point for soldiers in battle.
“In order to ensure that every soldier would be able to recognise their colours, the flag would be marched or ‘trooped’ regularly round the ranks. A regiment’s colours came to have huge significance for serving soldiers, and the gain or loss of colours were seen as decisive moments in battle,” the Royal Museums Greenwich shares on its website.
“This military function gained royal significance during the reign of George II, the first monarch to tie his birthday celebrations into the summer ceremony – despite the fact that his actual birthday was in November.”
Memorable royal appearances
“[King] Edward VII also had a November birthday, and it was during his reign that the summer ‘official’ birthday celebrations were standardized. It was also under [King] Edward VII that the inspection of the troops by the monarch became part of the celebration.”
Over 1,400 soldiers, 400 horses, and 400 musicians participate in Trooping the Colour celebrations. Tradition holds that the monarch will receive a royal salute as he arrives and inspects the troops. The soldiers will wear traditional and classic red ceremonial uniforms and bearskin hats.
Trooping the Colour has generated many memorable moments over the years. Now, as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children are growing up, they are also included in the traditional event. Last year, all three — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — made quite a memorable appearance.
Naturally, sometimes, an adult has to tell them how to act, and Kate Middleton usually takes on that responsibility. However, during the Trooping the Colour carriage ride last year, the children did something that apparently wasn’t royal enough.
As reported by Express, professional lipreader Jeremy Freeman claimed the Princess of Wales gave her children an eight-word order: “Do not look behind whilst on the coach.”
Prince William and Princess Kate have had their hands full with raising their children. However, on the big Trooping the Colour day last year, Kate had to govern them solo, as William was on horseback.
Kate Middleton used gestures to calm her children at last years Trooping the Colour
Speaking to Fabulous, body language expert Judy James also discussed Kate’s secret signals to ensure her kids remain on their best behavior and feel “enthusiastic.”
“She beamed with pride when Louis started miming drumming along with the band in the carriage,” James said. “Talking to her children, there were a couple of gestures of what looked like guidance about when to wave.”
“There was also a spreading gesture of both hands that would normally mean quite a severe message of when to stop or what not to do, too,” the body language expert added.
“She also put her hands below public view in the carriage to mime that ‘stop’ or ‘end’ sign to them as though warning them where the boundaries were, and on the way back she was doing small reward nods and smiles for their good behaviour, to ensure they were enjoying the event too.”
The balcony at Buckingham Palace has given royal fans worldwide many memorable moments over the years. One that today could be seen as the more emotional was in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth I celebrated her Platinum Jubilee celebration, marking 70 years on the throne.
At the end of the jubilee weekend, she appeared alongside her close family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, which also became the last time the beloved monarch appeared on the balcony before passing.
Kate Middleton ‘consider’ balcony appearance at Trooping the Colour, as per new claim
At that point, three future kings, Charles, William, and the young George, were there, as were Camilla, Kate Middleton, and George’s younger siblings, Charlotte and Louis.
Her Majesty surprised crowds in the national mall by appearing and waving to all the royal fans as they sang God Save the Queen. However, one of the most intimate moments was when Queen Elizabeth seemed somewhat surprised. She turned to George after airplanes had striped the sky red, white, and blue with smoke and told him something that also had her smiling.
So what did she say to her beloved great-grandson? According to professional lip reader John Cassidy, she told her grandson, surprised, “Ah, brilliant! I didn’t know.”
This year, everyone expects Kate Middleton to be home, enjoying the festivities from the couch. Now, the Daily Mail reports a shocking development: Kate Middleton is “understood to be considering” walking onto the balcony if she feels well enough.
Kate, who continues to undergo chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, has not undertaken any public duties this year as she focuses on her recovery.
The moment between George and Queen Elizabeth II was one of the last cute moments the world saw of them together, but one that will always be cherished. Most importantly, hopefully, George will remember it for all his life. If not him, we will for sure.
But one thing that everyone will remember is whether Kate MIddleton appears on the balcony during Trooping the Colour. Time will tell if that becomes a reality.