As the excitement over Princess Catherine’s appearance at this year’s Trooping the Colour begins to simmer down, the beloved Princess has been praised for the “grace” and “dignity” she exhibited during her appearance.
Catherine stepped away from the spotlight following a two-week hospital stay in January after she underwent major abdominal surgery. It was later revealed, in an emotional video message, that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would be taking time away as she undergoes treatment.
After a prolonged absence, Catherine delighted fans when she made a return to the public eye during the King’s birthday celebrations over the weekend.
Catherine’s appearance was cause for celebration among royal watchers, among those celebrating the Princess’ presence at the Trooping the Colour was former Royal Correspondent Michael Cole who praised Catherine for her “courage” during her return.
“Courage is grace under pressure, it’s often defined as that, and I think we saw that with Kate on Saturday,” Cole told GB News.
“My goodness, it’s harrowing enough coping with cancer for anybody, but for somebody to have to do that, knowing that the eyes of the world are upon her, a thousand lenses, looking at her at the same time as she’s undergoing preventative chemotherapy for the undisclosed cancer from which she is suffering – what an ordeal.
“Didn’t she carry it off with great dignity, great elegance and with great stoicism? I come back to the word courage because it’s not easy to do while looking so brilliantly beautiful.
“If you and I went to a Hollywood casting agency and said, please cast us a Princess, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly not being available, they’d come up with somebody like Kate, the Princess of Wales.
“And in everything she does, she carries it off with great aplomb.”
Eager royal fans got their first glimpse of the beloved Princess as she rode in a covered carriage with her three children to take part in celebrations for the birthday of King Charles on Saturday, June 15.
Wearing a pale outfit decorated with a white and navy ribbon by fashion designer Jenny Packham and a broad-brimmed matching hat by milliner Philip Treacy, Catherine watched the ceremony from a window overlooking the parade ground.
She pointed out aspects of the event to her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis while Charles saluted passing troops.
The King and Queen, as well as William, Catherine and other members of the Royal Family later returned to Buckingham Palace to watch a military fly-past from the balcony where Catherine smiled broadly and waved to an adoring crowd.
In addition to Catherine’s highly anticipated return to the public eye, she also recently revealed that she is “making good progress” in her cancer battle.
In her first official statement since revealing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Catherine expressed her gratitude to supporters for their encouraging words and provided an update on her recovery.
“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” she began.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”