Royal watchers have been eagerly anticipating the return of Princess Catherine to public life, and a recent announcement from the Ministry of Defence seemed to provide a clue.
It was revealed today that the Princess of Wales will be participating in Trooping the Colour in three months, marking her comeback to royal duties following surgery earlier this year.
The Ministry of Defence has officially confirmed that Catherine will be in attendance at the military parade scheduled for Saturday, June 8th, at Horse Guards Parade in Westminster.
Despite this being the princess’ first announced official engagement post-surgery, Kensington Palace has not yet verified her presence.
The lack of confirmation has only heightened the uncertainty surrounding the royal family, especially with two senior members currently on extended breaks from their duties.
Reports suggest that the Ministry of Defence may have prematurely disclosed the Princess of Wales’ return without consulting Kensington Palace.
In a recent update, the BBC reported that the army will be removing the information from its website, indicating that Princess Catherine’s attendance is not yet set in stone.
A royal insider emphasized that announcements regarding the attendance of Prince William or his wife at events are typically made by the palace, not the MOD.
Confirmation of the princess’ presence at a royal function is usually withheld until closer to the date.
Despite the mix-up in the announcement, there is hope that Princess Catherine will be well enough to participate in this significant military ceremony.
Royal expert Phil Dampier criticized the premature disclosure, emphasizing the importance of coordination between different departments to avoid confusion and speculation.
If Princess Catherine does attend, it will mark one of her initial engagements of the year following her recent surgery.
Sources have indicated that Princess Catherine will refrain from official duties as a senior royal until after Easter, focusing on her recovery.
Although Kensington Palace has acknowledged her progress, they have refrained from disclosing any future engagements due to ongoing recovery considerations.
The timing of an official confirmation or denial of the princess’ attendance at the event remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has affirmed that planning for upcoming engagements continues, despite the King’s ongoing cancer treatment.
His schedule has been limited based on medical advice, with a cautious approach towards large gatherings.
Trooping the Colour parades are also on the horizon, with additional events scheduled for review in June.
Princess Catherine has been a regular attendee at Trooping the Colour since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, except for last year when the event was scaled down due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This year, she is expected to lead the Colonel Review, marking a significant moment in her royal duties.
The June 8th parade coincides with the Help Out Volunteering Days, promoting community support and engagement.
Last year, the Wales family participated in supporting a local Scouts group near their Windsor residence during the volunteering initiative.
As anticipation builds for Princess Catherine’s return to royal duties, the public eagerly awaits further updates on her confirmed participation at Trooping the Colour and other upcoming events.