In a letter shared by the Irish Guards on Saturday, Kate Middleton expressed apologies for not being able to attend the annual event before Trooping the Color, but said she hoped to be able to join them again in the near future. The letter follows news that Princess Kate, honorary Colonel of the army regiment, will not be attending the Colonel’s parade today as she recovers from cancer treatment.
This is the second notable Irish Guards event that Middleton will miss due to illness, following her absence from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March. Before the 2024 event, she attended even before being named to her honorary role, which began in 2012. (She only missed one St. Pat’s parade in 2016) .
Kate Middleton has avoided public events since her January surgery, which was later revealed to be related to a diagnosis of an unspecified cancer. Reports earlier this year suggested she would return to public duty in time for events surrounding the Festival of Colors on June 15, an annual military parade held in honor of the current monarch’s birthday.
But last month, it was announced that former army chief Lt. Gen. Sir James Bucknall will assume his role during this weekend’s practice ceremony. (Correct, of King Charles III His birthday isn’t until November, but as noted in his first Trooping the Color of 2023, the event is held in the spring to take advantage of more favorable weather.)
In a letter shared by the Irish Guards on social networks, Middleton wrote, “I wanted to write and tell you how proud I was of the whole Regiment before the review of the Colonel and the Colored Troops. I appreciate everyone participating in the military this year who trained for months and devoted many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drills remained intact.”
