As promised, Kate Middleton made her first public appearance in months as the Princess of Wales joined the Royal Family Saturday at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London celebrating King Charles III’s “official” birthday.
Despite “lashing rain,” as the BBC put it, and a canopy-less balcony outside Buckingham Palace, the Royal Family — including Middleton and King Charles, who like the Princess is also battling cancer but has since returned to public-facing duties, as well as Prince William and the couple’s three children — all gathered outside to take in the festivities.
Prior to the event Saturday, Middleton posted a video of the family preparing for the proceedings on social media:
The Trooping the Colour ceremony was Middleton’s first official public appearance since December, weeks before she was admitted to a London Clinic Jan. 16 for what was “planned” non-cancerous abdominal surgery, according to a statement from Kensington Palace. Middleton remain hospitalized for 10 to 14 days, followed by at-home recovery.
However, Middleton’s weeks-long absence sparked much tabloid speculation, which was further inflamed in part when the Princess of Wales shared a poorly Photoshopped family photo with the press. The rumors didn’t desist until March, when Middleton revealed in a video statement that she had cancer.
“At the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,” she said at the time. “The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation on cancer had been present.”
On Friday, Middleton offered an update on her health battle, as well as announced she would appear at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” Middleton shared in a statement. “On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”
She continued, “I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”