Kate Middleton's Surprise Trooping The Colour News Has Everyone Feeling Extremely Cautious

Catherine, Princess of Wales has made a shocking announcement ahead of Saturday's Trooping the Colour parade, per Huffpost. Kate Middleton has been missing from the public eye since December 2023, and in March, she announced that she is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis. On Friday, June 14, she gave her first public update since her initial announcement video. In the written statement, Kate thanked fans for their support. "I am making good progress," she wrote. However, her announcement that she would be attending her first royal event in months this weekend has royal fans wondering if her long absence will finally come to an end. 

"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," Kate wrote. She added that she is aware that "I am not out of the woods yet," adding, "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." 

After the months of mystery surrounding Kate's illness, wariness among the public about her surprise announcement is likely to follow. 

Between Catherine, Princess of Wales' final public appearance in 2023 and her cancer announcement in March 2024, the rumor mill ran wild with theories about her whereabouts and wellbeing. In the wake of her video announcing that she was undergoing chemotherapy and requesting privacy, many royal fans seemed to quiet their concerns and conspiracy theories. However, the pushing back of her recovery timeline and word that her recovery may alter the monarch permanently sparked new concerns about Kate. Is this new announcement just an attempt to quiet conspiracy theories? Is she ready for a public return? Will she actually attend Trooping the Colour? While all of these questions won't likely be answered ahead of time, Saturday will bring royal fans a bit of insight one way or another. 

Kate's last public appearance at the royal family's Sandringham estate in December was also the last time the public saw her two younger children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Her oldest son, Prince George, has made a few appearances with his dad, William, Prince of Wales.

Per Town & Country, Kensington Palace has confirmed that all three children will attend Trooping the Colour and ride in a carriage with their mom. They will also reportedly gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the celebration. While a persisting mistrust in the palace is sure to keep fans cautiously optimistic about what will happen this weekend, we're all hopeful to see the Wales family together again.

Since Catherine, Princess of Wales is still in treatment, plans could change quickly regarding her attendance at the 2024 Trooping the Colour festivities. In 2023, Kate Middleton attended the event, which serves as the celebration of the reigning monarch's official birthday, with her whole family.

The annual military parade is usually held in the summer months, regardless of the monarch's actual birthday. King Charles III — whose actual birthday is November 14 — and Queen Camilla are set to attend the 2024 event. The day will also include a gun salute by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park and a Royal Air Force flyover at Buckingham Palace.

As a princess, the future Queen Elizabeth II was 11 years old when she first appeared at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in honor of her father, King George VI. The event was first held in her own honor in 1952 after she became queen.