Kate Middleton Will Attend Trooping the Colour, But Says She’s Not Yet “Out of the Woods”

Kate Middleton will attend Trooping the Colour on Saturday, her first official royal engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Princess Kate, who made her last official public appearance on Christmas Day, confirmed her attendance on Friday and issued a message on social media thanking the public for their support as she continues to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy following her shocking cancer diagnosis in March.

In the message, Princess Kate wrote that she has been “blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months,” adding, “It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.”

A new photo, taken at Windsor this week by one of Kate’s favorite photographers Matt Porteous, was also released by Kensington Palace on Friday, showing the princess looking healthy and well.

Speaking about her recovery Kate said she is 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.”

In the message, posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram and social media channels, Kate explained that her treatment is ongoing and will continue for a few more months. She said that she was “learning to be patient, especially with uncertainty” and added that she is not yet “out of the woods.”

In a sign that she is feeling better, Kate has revealed that she has started working from home and taking part in school life when she feels well enough.

“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.”

Kensington Palace has said that Kate’s appearance at Trooping the Colour does not mark a return to full-time engagements and that the princess needs time and space to recover from her cancer treatment. The palace has previously said the princess will not return to work until she is given the green light by her medical team, however sources have told Vanity Fair that the princess is “100 percent committed” to resuming official duties when she is well enough.

Kate will ride in a state carriage down the Mall at Saturday’s ceremony with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and will watch the parade from the Major General’s office with other family members. She is also expected to appear on the balcony with her children for the flypast. Aides have said King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, is delighted that his daughter-in-law is well enough to attend his official birthday parade.

It is hoped that the princess will be able to carry out further engagements over the summer as the royals enter their busiest season of the year, however the princess is not expected to attend Royal Ascot or Monday’s Order of the Garter ceremony. The palace has not given any further details as to what other engagements Kate will undertake and says that Kate’s plans could change at short notice.