(London) Six months after her last public appearance, Princess Kate, currently being treated for cancer, made her comeback on Saturday morning in London, on the occasion of the military parade celebrating the birthday of King Charles III.
Dressed in a long white coat and wearing a hat, the Princess of Wales, 42, appeared smiling and waving to the public who came en masse, from the carriage taking her and her three children — George, Charlotte and Louis — from the palace from Buckingham to Horse Guards Parade where the ceremony takes place.
She then got off the carriage to follow the rest of the ceremony called “Trooping the Color” from an official building. A little later, she accompanied the royal family to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the traditional greeting.
After six months of stepping back from public engagement to undergo preventative chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales announced in a social media post on Friday that she would attend the festive event due to the “good progress” in her treatment.
“It’s incredible to see her at such an important event,” enthused Sarah Morley to AFP, a 45-year-old Australian tourist, present near the Mall, after Kate’s visit.
“She’s very natural, like Diana, she’s good” for the monarchy, insists her mother, Julie Smith, born in England.
The news of his health and his participation was received with joy and relief among the British present on Saturday morning near Buckingham Palace to attend this military parade which officially celebrates the sovereign’s birthday, even if Charles III will be celebrating his 76 years old on November 14th.
“I was so happy to hear the news last night,” says Angela Perry, a 50-year-old teacher from Reading, west London. “She’s our future queen, she’s so important,” she insists.
In her message on Friday, Prince William’s wife gave news of his health for the first time since announcing his illness in a video at the end of March.
“I’m making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days,” Kate, 42, wrote in the post, alongside a photo taken this week in Windsor according to its services. She said her treatment must continue “for several more months.”
“I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to be able to take part in some public engagements this summer, although I know I’m not out of the woods yet,” he said. she wrote again, thanking the public for their support.
The king, also suffering from cancer and currently undergoing treatment, also participated in the military parade in his honor.
He traveled down the Mall, the long avenue from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, in a carriage accompanied by Queen Camilla, receiving the salute of the troops.
Last year, he led the procession on horseback, as did his son Prince William, his sister and brother Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all of whom continued the tradition this year.
The sovereign resumed his public engagements at the end of April, after his doctors said they were “sufficiently satisfied with the progress made so far.”
In particular, he traveled to France at the beginning of June with Queen Camilla for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. And the royal couple is due to receive Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako at the end of June for a state visit.
The military parade is being held under heavy police surveillance, while the anti-monarchy movement Republic plans to demonstrate.
Early Saturday, activists were already present along the Mall, shouting the slogan “Not my King”, waving yellow flags, the color of this movement, while another group calling itself “The Royalists” shouted “God save the King,” British flag in hand.
