As the traditional Trooping the Color ceremony approaches, royal fans continue to speculate about whether or not the event could mark Kate Middleton’s first public appearance since her stomach surgery in January and, more later, his cancer treatment. It is now being reported that the Princess of Wales could be ‘considering’ appearing on the balcony at the June 15 event.
This news comes after Kensington Palace officially announced that Middleton would not attend the rehearsal of Trooping the Color, also known as Colonel’s Review, on June 8. In the past, Middleton has taken on the role of inspection officer during rehearsal. This year, that task will fall to Lieutenant General James Bucknall, KCB, CBE, former Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. Notably, the palace did not mention the Trooping the Color main event on June 15 in its statement.
Trooping the Color is an annual official state ceremonial parade in honor of the official birthday of the British sovereign. The ceremony ends when the King joins his family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace where they watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force. In previous years, Middleton and her family (especially the exuberant young Louis, with some very memorable displays) have delighted royal fans with their balcony appearances.
The palace previously said Middleton’s return to public life would only take place when she had fully recovered. “The princess will return to her official duties when cleared to do so by her medical team,” a palace representative said in March after announcing her cancer treatment. “She is in good spirits and focused on making a full recovery.” However, according to the latest reports, there’s still a small chance Middleton will make a brief appearance, joining her family on the balcony for the traditional flypast — and perhaps some more adorable interactions with her kids.
King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer, is expected to appear at the event, although his role will be reduced: he will travel in a horse-drawn carriage alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, rather than riding a horse like he did it in previous years.
