Before Friday's surprise announcement from the Princess of Wales that she would, indeed, attend Trooping the Colour on June 15—her first public appearance since Christmas Day 2023, nearly six months prior—buzz was circulating that she was “considering” making a surprise Buckingham Palace balcony appearance for today’s ceremony “if she is feeling well enough” as she continues treatment for cancer.
Kate has been a fixture at Trooping the Colour since marrying into the royal family in 2011, and would normally be a staple at the event; that said, there has been nothing “normal” about 2024, after a planned abdominal surgery in January detected cancer, which she reportedly found out about in February. She revealed her diagnosis in a courageous video message on March 22, and has been laying low since, receiving preventative chemotherapy and prioritizing her health.
