Kate Middleton announces return to public duties following cancer battle

Kate Middleton has announced her return to public duties following her cancer battle and has announced she will be attending Trooping the Colour after speaking with the King to confirm.

The Princess of Wales announced in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional video message, and told others battling the disease “you are not alone."

Kate spoke about the “huge shock” after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family have experienced. It was later confirmed she was 'expected to be away from public duties for some time'.

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The Princess of Wales did not attend the Colonel's Review on June 8 - which is the traditional rehearsal for the Sovereign's official birthday parade this weekend, the Daily Record reports.

But in an announcement on Friday (June 14), the much-loved royal said she will be at the celebrations this weekend.

The palace released a new picture, taken by celebrity and royal photographer Matt Porteous, of Kate beneath a tree in the grounds of Windsor which was taken earlier this week. The royal is said to have been blown away by the kind messages of support since her diagnosis and is making good progress.

She admitted she has "good days and bad days" and is learning to be patient and take each day as it comes. While still undergoing chemotherapy, Kate said she's started to take a few meetings and is "enjoying it."

She said in a personal message: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months.

“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.

“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.

“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.”

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A spokesperson for the King said: "His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow's events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day"

A spokesperson for the King said: "His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow's events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day"

As the Colonel of the Irish Guards, who are set to troop their colour this year, she would typically have been present to take the salute at the Colonel's Review.

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Kate, 42, will travel in a state carriage with her children and will then watch the parade from the Major General’s Office with the rest of the family before joining them on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The future queen is to make the "surprise" appearance even though she did not attend the Colonel's Review on June 8th - the traditional rehearsal for the birthday parade.

Kate, who is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, had written to them to apologise for missing it and wishing them luck.

She said: “Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.”

Lieutenant General James Bucknall will be taking the salute on her behalf.

Since January, both King Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, have been diagnosed with cancer and forced to take time away from their public duties.

King Charles has since returned to a slimmed down schedule of public duties, including travelling to Normandy for the D-Day 80th anniversary earlier this month.

But Kate has not been seen publicly since March, when she revealed her cancer diagnosis in a video message to the nation.

The Princess had stopped all public appearances after announcing her cancer diagnosis and having successful “planned abdominal surgery” in January.

In March, she released a video statement thanking the public for their “understanding” as she recovered from surgery.

She explained: “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful.

“However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment. This of course came as a huge shock...”

King Charles III who has also been undergoing treatment for cancer, will have a change to his usual routine. Instead of riding on horseback to inspect the troops, the monarch will travel in an Ascot Landau carriage alongside Queen Camilla.

King Charles III will celebrate his bonus birthday just before the Trooping the Colour, a tradition dating back to the days of King George II.

However, palace insiders maintain that the Princess isn't expected to resume official duties until doctors give her the all-clear, and any appearances at Royal events would be infrequent at best.