Buckingham Palace has confirmed Kate Middleton won’t attend a major event amid her cancer treatment.
In March, the Princess of Wales announced that she is undergoing treatment for cancer, which was discovered after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.
Following her diagnosis, the Princess took a step back from her public duties with not date given on her return.
It has been confirmed that Kate will not be attending the Trooping the Colour 2024 rehearsal on June 8.
Instead, the role of Inspecting Officer normally carried out by the Princess, will be conducted by Lieutenant General James Bucknall K.C.B., C.B.E.
This is held every year as an official birthday event for the monarch, even though Charles’s actual birthday is on November 14 – becoming an annual event from 1760.
The official parade for King Charles’ birthday will take place on June 15, as it is still unclear if Kate will attend.
This follows the Army having removed a claim made in March on its website that Kate would be appearing – which caused confusion after the Palace said it had not confirmed her attendance.
An update was given on Kate earlier this month which said the Princess of Wales has made “a clear commitment” to her public work despite her recent diagnosis, but “needs the space and privacy to recover right now.”
A senior royal aide told MailOnline: “The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force,” referring to Kate’s recent involvement in the launch of the project, Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
“She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it.”
They continued: “This is a clear commitment she has made throughout her life of public service that this will be focus.”
“That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now.”
“She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors,” they added.
On March 22, the mother-of-three released an emotional video revealing her cancer diagnosis.
The 42-year-old said: “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 preventive chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.”
“As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too.”
“As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.”
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.
“My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”
There is no official date as to when the Princess will return to public engagements.
