Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has announced that she is ready to make her public return this weekend.
Kate, 42, said in a new message written on Friday that she was still undergoing cancer treatment but would attend the ceremony. Trooping the Color in London on Saturday, in what will be his first official public appearance since announcing his diagnosis earlier this year.
The annual military ceremony celebrates the official birthday of King Charles III, who will also attend after announcing that he also suffers from cancer.
“I'm really looking forward to attending the King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and I hope to fulfill some public commitments over the summer, but I'm aware that I'm not out of the woods yet.“Kate said in the message published on social networks that was accompanied by a new photo of the princess.
“I'm progressing well, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to allow your body to rest. But on good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling good,” she added.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Majesty is delighted that The Princess will be able to attend tomorrow's events, and is looking forward to all aspects of the day.”
Kate and Prince William's sons George, 10; Charlotte, 8; and Louis, 5, have also been out of the public eye in recent months. The minors will join the princess at Saturday's event. They are expected to arrive by carriage at Horse Guards Parade and then make an appearance on the royal balcony.
The family traditionally gathers on the balcony at the end of the event each year to watch the Royal Air Force aircraft fly overhead.
The announcement that Kate will attend the celebration is a surprise, after last weekend she missed the traditional rehearsal event, the Colonel's Review.
Her health had become the subject of speculation and unfounded conspiracy theories after the Palace indicated that Kate would step back from public duties following a scheduled abdominal operation.
The wife of the future king responded to months of fervent speculation in March with a video in which she revealed that she had cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
In her message this Friday, Kate also said that although she was making good progress, her “treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months.”
She also said she had been “blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the past two months.” She added: “They have really made a big difference to William and I and have helped us both get through some of the most difficult times.”
Kate added that she is learning to be patient, especially when it comes to uncertainty. “I take each day as it comes, listen to my body and allow myself to take this much-needed time to heal.”
Although the announcement of his public appearance on Saturday is an important turn, it will not mean his return to a full agenda of public engagements. The Palace did not give further details about future public events that the princess could attend.
King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer in February, has also been receiving treatment. Doctors discovered the disease after he was hospitalized for an enlarged prostate, although the palace has said he does not suffer from prostate cancer.
Both the king and Kate have declined to specify what type of cancer they suffer from or details about their diagnosis.
The monarch, 75, has attended several engagements since resuming public duties last month, including D-Day commemorative services in France.
The king will participate in the event Trooping the Colora traditional military spectacle in which “more than 1,400 officers and soldiers” participate, along with 200 horses and 400 musicians, according to the British Army website.
At the event, which will be held in central London, the monarch will review the guards and officers from a carriage alongside Queen Camilla, instead of on horseback.
Also known as the King's Birthday Parade, the ceremony has been held annually since 1760. It is the British Army's annual tribute to the monarch and marks his official birthday.
Charles III's actual birthday is November 14.
