While it has been six months – since her last appearance shortly before Christmas – that she withdrew from any public commitment to undergo preventive chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales announced Friday evening in a message published on social networks that she would attend this festive event because of the “good progress” of her treatment.
The news was received with joy and relief among the British present on Saturday morning near Buckingham Palace to attend this military parade, called “Trooping the color”, and which marks the sovereign’s birthday. , even if Charles III will celebrate his 76th birthday on November 14.
“I was so happy to hear the news last night,” enthuses Angela Perry, a 50-year-old teacher, who came from Reading in west London, and met by AFP.
She says she is “very impatient to see her”, hoping that she will be present on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. “She’s our future queen, she’s so important,” she insists.
Nicky Weech, a 50-year-old bank employee, came for “the pomp” and “the show”. “We wish him good luck,” she adds.
In her message Friday evening, Prince William’s wife gave news of his health for the first time since announcing his illness in a video at the end of March.
“I’m making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy knows, there are good days and bad days,” Kate, 42, wrote in the post, alongside a photo taken this week in Windsor according to its services.
She specified that her treatment must continue “for several more months” and described how on the most difficult days, she feels “weak, tired”, and conversely wants to “make the most of” the moments when she feels better.
“I am looking forward to attending the King’s birthday parade this weekend with my family and hope to be able to participate in some public engagements this summer, knowing that I am not out of the woods yet,” announces she again, thanking the public for their support.
Hello to the balcony
The princess must travel down the Mall, the main avenue which leads to Buckingham Palace, in a carriage, accompanied by her three children, and join the other members of the royal family after the parade for the salute on the balcony.
The king, also suffering from cancer and currently undergoing treatment, will be present, he who resumed his public engagements at the end of April, after his doctors said they were “sufficiently satisfied with the progress made so far”.
His first trip was to visit a cancer treatment center.
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He also went to France at the beginning of June with Queen Camilla for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the landing in Normandy.
The royal couple is due to receive Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako for a state visit at the end of June.
But this year, the king will participate in the military parade aboard a carriage and not on horseback like last year, the palace said.
His son and heir to the throne William, 41, will be on horseback during the parade, which starts from Buckingham Palace, goes down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the sovereign receives the royal salute before inspecting The troops.
Police have warned the event will require a “significant” security operation, while the anti-monarchy movement Republic plans to demonstrate.
Early Saturday, activists were already present along the Mall, shouting the slogan “Not my King” and waving yellow flags, the color of this movement, while another group calling itself “The Royalists” shouted “God save the King”, British flag in hand.
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