Princess Kate sent 18-word message by top Army officer after Trooping announcement
Princess Kate has received a heartwarming message from Army personnel ahead of the upcoming Trooping the Colour rehearsal for King Charles.
Princess Kate has received a heartwarming message from the top army personnel ahead of the Trooping the Colour rehearsal to mark King Charles's official birthday in June.
Due to her ongoing cancer treatment, Kate will not be attending the Colonel's Review, which is the Trooping the Colour rehearsal on June 8. As Colonel in Chief, she was due to inspect the troops at Horse Guards Parade in central London.
Instead, her role will be taken by Lt Gen Sir James Bucknall, former Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Force. Speaking of Kate, he revealed a kind, 18-word message to the Princess: "We totally understand and our thoughts and best wishes are with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales."
He added that in her absence, he hoped to make the rehearsal the "best yet". He told the Sun: "We are even more determined to make the Colonel’s Review the best yet for her. We are so proud to have The Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards."
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It comes as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was earlier accused of sparking confusion after announcing confirmed attendance at the Trooping the Colour without consulting Kensington Palace.
King Charles's official birthday parade will be held on June 15 and is one of the biggest military ceremonies of the year featuring around 1,600 parading soldiers, 400 musicians, 200 horses and is wrapped up with an RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace.
Many were hoping that Princess Kate, who has been absent from royal duties since December as she currently undergoes treatment for a type of cancer, would make a royal return for this year's birthday celebrations for King Charles, but after the latest update, such a prospect seems highly unlikely.
Royal author, Ingrid Seward said: "People will be disappointed but also extremely understanding. We simply want Kate to get better, whatever it takes, and however long that may be."
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Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, is expected to conduct the review of troops on June 15 from an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla by his side.
The monarch was given the all-clear to return to public duties in April after a short break, however, Buckingham Palace said that any future engagements involving the King "will be adapted where necessary" to accommodate his recovery.
In 2023, Charles became the first monarch in more than 30 years to take part in Trooping the Colour on horseback, but this year will be slightly different.
Lt Col Shaw, who will lead the royal procession down The Mall on the day, told the Sun confirmation of King’s presence was wonderful but "means the Army have to step up our game even more".
