The Princess of Wales apologised to the Irish Guards for missing missing a final rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s Trooping the Colour parade in London

The Princess of Wales has revealed in an optimistic message that she hopes to return to her public duties very soon.

The future queen, 42, who is having treatment for cancer, wrote to the Irish Guards apologising for missing today’s final rehearsal for next week’s Trooping the Colour. Kate, who is Colonel of the regiment, said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. “I’m very sorry that I’m unable to make this year’s Colonel’s Review.”

And Queen Camilla revealed today at a literary event that the King is “doing fine” but that he “won’t do what he’s told”. The future queen, 42, appealed for time, space and privacy for her family in March when she announced on TV she was having cancer treatment. Last month Prince William told a well-wisher: “She’s doing well.”

Princess Kate seen back in 2020 ( 
Image:
Getty)

Princess Kate pictured back in 2018 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Today, Kate revealed her hopes for a public return “very soon”. And in a second boost Queen Camilla, 76, said King Charles, 75, who is being treated for cancer, is “doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told”. Kate wrote a touching message to the Irish Guards Regiment apologising for missing a final rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s Trooping the Colour parade.

The Princess, who is the Guards’ Lieutenant Colonel, wrote: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.” The note, read to troops in a video posted by the regiment on social media, said: “I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.

Princess Kate shared an emotional video in March in which she said she’d be withdrawing from public duties to focus on her recovery
“I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate. I’m very sorry that I’m unable to make the salute at this year’s colonel review.” Her message was signed off with the phrase quis separabit – a Latin motto derived from the bible and associated with the British Army in Ireland meaning Who will separate us?.

The Regiment responded: “The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit” It is unclear if Kate will attend Trooping the Colour, held every year to mark the monarch’s birthday.

The King’s birthday parade will take place on June 15 ( 
Image:
PA)
Charles is expected to travel by carriage with the Queen during the traditional birthday procession to and from London’s Horse Guards Parade on Saturday. He will likely watch the ceremony seated instead of on horseback. Today. Camilla told author Lee Child, at the annual Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at London’s Hampton Court Palace, that Charles was doing fine but was not doing as he was told. Child said: “Sounds to me like a typical husband”.

The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive the letter

Kate started her treatment in January ( 
Image:
Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)
Kate was admitted to hospital on January 16 for major abdominal surgery. Post-operative tests confirmed the presence of cancer and she started chemotherapy in February. In March, the mum-of-three made an emotional televised statement confirming her diagnosis, saying it had been “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family”. And to those also facing their own battle, she said: “Please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

Kate praised her husband Prince William, 41, for his love and support. And she said they had both told their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six, of her illness and she had assured them: “I am going to be OK.”