Kate Middleton set for first public appearance

Britain’s Princess of Wales has arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of her first public appearance since surgery five months ago revealed the presence of cancer.

Sky News showed Kate Middleton arriving in a car with her husband Prince William and their three children to attend Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade held in central London to mark the official birthday of the British monarch.

Kate will ride in a carriage alongside her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the traditional procession.

Later, she is expected to gather with King Charles, the Prince of Wales and other royals on Buckingham Palace’s balcony for the fly-past.

Kate, 42, said in a statement: “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.”

Kate’s public appearance at Trooping will be her first official outing of 2024 after she missed engagements at the start of the year when she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery on 16 January.

At the time her condition was thought to be non-cancerous but tests after the successful operation found the disease, and Kate disclosed the medical development in an emotional video released in March.

A time frame has not been set for Kate’s return to a full schedule of public engagements as she is being given time to convalesce and recover before full-time work.

Trooping will be a special event for her as Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, a regiment she represents as Colonel, will be Trooping their King’s Colour, but Lieutenant General James Bucknall will take the salute on her behalf.

King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, will not ride during the ceremony but will inspect the troops formed up in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall from a carriage.