Princess Kate wants to be at Trooping the Colour for key reason - but it's not up to her

Princess Kate wants to attend Trooping the Colour in a fortnight's time to support the King and the rest of the Royal Family, but unfortunately the decision is not hers to make.

Kate, who bravely announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message on March 22, continues to undergo chemotherapy and aides have repeatedly said she will only return to royal duties when her doctors give her the green light.

But a source close to the Princess said she would very much like to be there in some form or another, as the hardworking royal wants to “show her support” for Charles amid his own cancer battle.

The future Queen knows the importance of putting on a united front and understands how much of a key event the King’s birthday parade is to him and the Royal Family. The pair are very close and have been in regular contact throughout their health battles.

However, her health must come first and while she wants to attend the traditional ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, Kate’s medics have the final say.

They may let her participate in some of the proceedings, as Kensington Palace have not explicitly ruled out an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the traditional flypast.

This is a key part of Trooping, as senior members of the Royal Family gather on the famous balcony to watch the Red Arrows display swoop overhead.

It is also a hugely symbolic moment, as the Firm are pictured waving to the thousands of people gathered outside the Palace gates to celebrate the monarch on his official birthday.

Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said Kate’s attendance on the balcony would be a “milestone” and would reassure the concerned public that she is on the mend.

“With King Charles undertaking a number of royal engagements and exuding positivity at a very difficult time for the Royal Family, her appearance on the balcony would be a clear sign that she is improving and it would make this magnificent display of pageantry a truly joyous occasion,” he said.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “It would give the occasion a tremendous boost if it were possible for Catherine to appear on the balcony after Trooping the Colour.”

Kate's last public appearance was on Christmas Day last year, when she joined other members of the Firm for a chuch service on the Sandringham Estate. She then retreated from the public eye after undergoing major abdominal surgery in January, with post-operative tests late discovering the presence of cancer.

Before her diagnosis, the Palace said she was going to return to royal duties after Easter.

With the Princess’ attendance in doubt, a question mark remains over whether the couple’s children will join the staple royal fixture.

Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, usually travel from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade by carriage with their mother and the Queen. However, with the Princess not expected to join the parade and with the King travelling by carriage this year, it is unclear whether the youngsters will attend.

Though it is understood that aides are exploring the possibility that the trio could sit in the open-top Ascot Landau carriage alongside their Majesties, or with other royals such as the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

But it seems more likely that the children would join Kate on the balcony later on, if she is permitted to do so by her medical team.

Prince William will ride on horseback alongside Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

On Thursday it was announced that Kate would miss her salute with the Irish Guards next Saturday. As their Colonel-in-Chief she was due to inspect troops at Horse Guards Parade in central London for the official Trooping rehearsal.

Instead, Lt Gen James Bucknall will carry out the role of Inspecting Officer next month on behalf of the Princess.

It follows earlier confusion after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) publicised in early March that Kate would attend the review.

But the Army were accused of “jumping the gun” by Kensington Palace - who had not been informed that the statement was going live on the website - and soon removed her name from the schedule.

Weeks later Kate appealed for time, space and privacy for her family as she announced her cancer diagnosis to the public.

The Prince of Wales gave a positive update about his wife's treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly earlier in May, saying "she's doing well" when questioned by a hospital administrator.

Last week, aides said she was waiting for approval from her doctors before returning to public duties. "The Princess is not expected to return to work until it's cleared by her medical team," a Kensington Palace spokesman said.

But an insider suggested she could make a private public appearance later this summer.

Meanwhile the King is looking forward to his second birthday parade of his reign, which has been slightly modified due to his ongoing cancer treatment.

Though he had hoped to attend on horseback, he will perform his inspection of the soldiers from a carriage, on medical advice. The change from last year's ceremony reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by the King would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors.

Charles has greatly increased his workload since his return to public-facing duties at the end of April.

But the Palace postponed a number of scheduled engagements after Rishi Sunak announced a snap General Election for July 4 to avoid “diverting” attention away from the campaign.

This week he’s undertaken a handful of audiences at Buckingham Palace, as well as a visit to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on Wednesday and Epsom Derby festival today.