Catherine, Princess of Wales, said on Friday that she planned to take part in a parade on Saturday to mark King Charles III's birthday, a tentative return to the public stage after confirming in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
The news, which Catherine released in a highly personal six-paragraph statement, reflects both the progress she has made since she was first admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery last January and the long road to recovery. that he has yet to face.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone who has undergone chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” Catherine wrote.
“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and have to surrender to resting your body,” said the princess. “But on good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling good.”
Catherine, 42, said she hopes to take part in a few more public engagements over the summer. But the princess, who has not been seen in public since last Christmas, stressed that her appearance at Saturday's parade – her first in several months – does not represent a formal return to public life.
“I'm not out of the woods yet,” he wrote. “I'm learning to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body and allowing myself to take much needed time to heal.
However, even this cautious return to normality will be a significant source of relief for the British royal family, which has struggled in recent months as both Catherine and Charles, her father-in-law, have battled serious health problems.
Charles and Catherine are among the most visible members of the family. Their illnesses and sudden absence took a toll on the family, who were still coming to terms with the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Charles, admitted to hospital for prostate treatment in January, began returning to public duties in April. Last week he took part in ceremonies to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. He appeared in good health in recent appearances, although Buckingham Palace has released few details about his treatment or prognosis.
Charles celebrated his 75th birthday in November. But the formal birthday celebration, known as Trooping the Colour, will take place on Saturday, when 1,400 Household Division officers will parade before the king on a route that takes them from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade, and back to the palace .
Catherine said she would take part in the parade, along with her husband, Prince William, and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Palace officials said she would travel in a state carriage with her children and that she was due to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the family. Rumors of her participation had circulated in the British media.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles “is delighted that the Princess will be able to attend tomorrow's events and is looking forward to all elements of the day.”
Kensington Palace, where Catherine and William have their offices, has not revealed what type of cancer he has or his prognosis. The palace has asked that his privacy be respected while he undergoes treatment. After an initial cascade of rumors about her condition and whereabouts, she was largely left alone by British tabloids.
Palace officials said Catherine had begun working from home and would make decisions about attending future public events in consultation with her doctors.
In her statement, Catherine said her treatment would continue “for a few more months.” She spoke of the joy of engaging with her children about their schools and of being involved in some philanthropic work.
“On days when I feel pretty good, it's a joy to engage in school life, dedicate personal time to the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as start doing some work from home,” she wrote.
“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months,” Catherine added. “She really made a difference to William and I and helped us both get through some of the most difficult times.”