Princess Kate, who had not been seen since Christmas, made her first public appearance since being treated for cancer, on the occasion of King Charles III’s birthday, celebrated on Saturday June 15.
Dressed in white and wearing a matching hat, the wife of Crown Prince William left Buckingham Palace by carriage, accompanied by her three children – George, Charlotte and Louis – as part of the royal procession until Horse Guards Parade Square, where the Color Salute ceremony takes place. She then had to appear on the Buckingham balcony for the traditional greeting from the royal family.
Six months after withdrawing from all public commitments to undergo preventive chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales announced Friday evening in a message posted on social media that she would attend the event.
“I’m making progress but, as anyone undergoing chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days”, writes Kate, who is 42 years old, in this message illustrated with a photo taken this week in Windsor, according to her services. She specifies that her treatment must continue “for several more months”.
“I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to be able to take part in some public engagements this summer, although I know I’m not out of the woods yet.”she adds, thanking the public for their support.
“Not my king!” »
The news of his health and his participation was greeted with joy and relief by the British present, Saturday morning, near Buckingham Palace to attend this military parade which traditionally celebrates the sovereign’s birthday, although Charles III is , he, born on November 14.
Charles III, also suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment, took part in the parade. He traveled down the Mall, the long avenue from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, in a carriage accompanied by Queen Camilla, receiving the salute of the troops. Last year, he led the procession on horseback, as did his son William, his sister and brother, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all three of whom maintained the tradition this year.
The 75-year-old sovereign resumed his public engagements at the end of April. His doctors then said “sufficiently satisfied with the progress made”. He notably went to France at the beginning of June with Queen Camilla for the celebrations of the 80e anniversary of the landing in Normandy and the royal couple is due to receive Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako at the end of June for a state visit.
The military parade is being held under heavy police surveillance, while the Republic movement, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, plans to demonstrate. Early Saturday, activists were already present along the Mall, shouting “Not my king!” » (“not my king”), brandishing yellow flags, the color of this movement, while another group calling itself “The Royalists” chanted “God save the king!” »British flag in hand.