GUARDS are determined to make Princess Kate’s Colonel’s Review “the best yet” despite her absence due to cancer treatment.
Kensington Palace today confirmed the Princess of Wales, 42, will miss the military salute with the Irish Guards next Saturday.
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As Colonel in Chief she was due to inspect the troops at Horse Guards Parade in central London.
The ceremony is seen as a rehearsal for the King’s Trooping the Colour birthday parade on June 15.
Instead her role will be taken by Lt Gen Sir James Bucknall, former Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Force.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace said the King will inspect Trooping the Colour soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback. Kate is unlikely to attend that event.
READ MORE ON PRINCESS KATE
Lt Col James Shaw, overseeing both ceremonies, said: “We totally understand and our thoughts and best wishes are with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.
“We are even more determined to make the Colonel’s Review the best yet for her. We are so proud to have The Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.”
Sources close to Kate admit she was never expected to attend the Colonel’s Review after she began chemo in February.
And royal author Ingrid Seward said: “People will be disappointed but also extremely understanding.
“We simply want Kate to get better, whatever it takes, and however long that may be.”
In January, Kensington Palace said Kate was stepping back from duties until April after she had abdominal surgery at The London Clinic.
In late March, the mum-of-three revealed in a video statement how tests after the operation had found cancer and she had started chemo.
Kensington Palace say she will return only when her medical team give the green light.
Three weeks ago Prince William, 41, told wellwishers in the Isles of Scilly his wife is “doing very well”.
The Army came under fire in March for publicising that the Princess of Wales would take the salute at the Colonel’s Review.
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Tickets were sold online for £15. But hours later the MoD vowed to remove any mention of Kate from its website after Kensington Palace said the Army had “jumped the gun”.
Buckingham Palace announced in December 2022 she was to become Colonel of the Irish Guards, a role previously held by her husband.
She attended her first St Patrick’s Day parade with the Irish Guards in Aldershot, Hants, last year but missed this March’s event.
The King, 75, will be at Trooping the Colour on June 15.
There were fears the annual bash would be cancelled as the Royal Family postpones engagements which may “divert attention” away from the July 4 General Election.
But the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the ceremony and King’s birthday parade will go ahead.
We totally understand and our thoughts and best wishes are with Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales
Lt Col James Shaw
Charles, who recently returned to public duties while being treated for his cancer, wanted to attend on horseback.
He will now wave to crowds from an open-top Ascot Landau carriage as it is driven from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.
William, Prince Edward and Princess Anne are expected to be on horseback.
Lt Col Shaw, who will lead the royal procession down The Mall on the day, said confirmation of King’s presence was wonderful but “means the Army have to step up our game even more”.
Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, Lt Col James Coleby, added: “For us, it adds to the splendour of the day.
“Of course, it’s His Majesty’s birthday and we all wanted him to be there and are very pleased he is too.
“We wish him all the very best. I’m sure there’s more to come in his recovery.”
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WHEN it was announced that Prince William was going to next week’s D-Day commemorations without Catherine, it made me wonder if she would be fit enough for rehearals of Trooping the Colour.
Even when fully fit, the Colonel’s Review is quite a difficult day of getting in and out of carriages and later appearing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with her family. If you’re not well it can be gruelling.
Catherine may well have thought she could not cope with it at this stage of her recovery.
She’s a wonderful ambassador for our country and it’s only right that she gets properly better and does not rush back.
It would be lovely if we did see her at Royal Ascot or in the VIP box at Wimbledon this summer.
But if we don’t see her in public until the autumn, I for one, am happy to wait however long it takes.
- By Arthur Edwards, Sun Royal Photographer
