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Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been notably absent from the Royal Ascot horse-racing event, which runs until June 22, despite attending Trooping the Colour just days before.
Her husband, Prince William, was photographed at Royal Ascot, along with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, marking their first official appearance since their daughter announced she’d been diagnosed with cancer.
However the former Kate Middleton’s absence from the race should not surprise royal watchers, as she shared in a recent statement that she doesn’t anticipate fully returning to her royal duties for some time. In her first update since sharing that she was being treated for cancer, the princess said on Friday that she is making “good progress” but has a few more months of treatment left.
In the statement, she also announced she’d be attending Trooping the Colour 2024 the following day, her first official public appearance since December. At the parade, which celebrates the king’s official birthday, she looked composed and chic in a black-and-white Jenny Packham dress, one of her go-to brands, and a white hat. Behind-the-scenes footage showed her smiling and playing with her children.
Kate first revealed that she’d been diagnosed with cancer in March. Prior to Friday’s statement, she had not spoken publicly about her diagnosis or treatment since her initial announcement.
Kate attended Trooping the Colour alongside William and their three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. They arrived in a carriage down the Mall and waved at the public from the balcony, as is tradition.
The future king and queen’s official Instagram account shared some moments from the day, including Catherine adjusting her daughter’s hair and Louis waving through the windows of one of the carriages.
The news that Kate would attend Trooping the Colour surprised many royal watchers, as she skipped the rehearsal for it, an event known as the Colonel’s Review, on June 8.
When confirming her presence, Kate was quick to share that she’s not yet officially returning to her royal duties, writing that she hopes “to join a few public engagements over the summer,” but noting she is “not out of the woods yet.”
Prior to Trooping the Colour, the princess had not made any royal appearances since her family’s annual Christmas church outing in 2023 — though last month she took time to review a report from an initiative she’s involved in, The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, a senior palace aid confirmed.
She has been working from home occasionally, including some meetings when she feels well enough.
Accompanying Friday’s statement, the palace released a new picture of the princess. In the photo, she wears jeans and a tan blazer and looks pensive standing against a tree.
The day after the statement was released, the princess was photographed repeatedly at Trooping the Colour 2024.
In her statement shared Friday, the princess thanked people for “all the kind messages of support and encouragement” she’s received since March.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well,” she said.
Her treatment is “ongoing” and will continue for “a few more months,” she said.
“On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home,” the princess said.
In closing, the princess shared that she is “learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty.”
“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me,” she said.
A WRITTEN MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCESS OF WALES
I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.
I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.
Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.
Kate Middleton has not shared what kind of cancer she was diagnosed with. The cancer was discovered after she underwent planned abdominal surgery in January.
Maddie Ellis is a weekend editor at TODAY Digital.
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