Royal enthusiasts eagerly await Kate Middleton’s return after her prolonged absence from public view, as Buckingham Palace provides an unusual update on the Princess of Wales and King Charles.
As per the Daily Mail, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Kate will not be present at the traditional Colonel’s Review rehearsal for Trooping the Colour on June 8. Additionally, King Charles III will forego riding horseback and will instead travel in a carriage with Queen Camilla to the march on June 15.
Accompanied by Camilla, Charles is set to review soldiers at his ceremonial birthday parade from an Ascot Landau carriage. This appears to be a modification made on medical advice, as the monarch continues to undergo cancer treatment.
Who will conduct Colonel’s Review?
According to the palace, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, the former commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, will conduct the Colonel’s Review on behalf of Kate.
The Princess of Wales, who traditionally takes the salute in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, was scheduled to do so. However, this year, she is recuperating from cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, so this duty will not be fulfilled.
These revelations emerged after the Army retracted a statement from its website in March, initially suggesting Catherine’s participation in Trooping the Colour, and subsequently commenced ticket sales. This led to confusion when Kensington Palace refrained from confirming her appearance.
Last year’s Trooping the Colour
The Army declared on Tuesday that Trooping the Colour will proceed as planned on its scheduled date, despite the upcoming UK General Election.
In line with tradition, King Charles and Prince William recently postponed all Royal engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign” after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unexpectedly called for elections on July 4.
Following a display of grandeur and military parade, it is customary for the Royal family to assemble on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Furthermore, the King is scheduled to travel from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to inspect the troops. Subsequently, he will return to the palace for the ceremonial balcony appearance alongside other members of the Royal family.
Last year, following his coronation, Charles participated in his first Trooping as the nation’s head of state, riding onto Horse Guards.
During the elaborate ceremony, Charles and Camilla greeted crowds with smiles and waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, while hundreds of supporters and fans along The Mall sang the National Anthem.
Surrounded by key members of their family, including Prince William, Kate, and their three children, the King and Queen enjoyed the event.
