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.
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“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
