Kate, the Princess of Wales has been in the hearts and minds of people around the world in recent months, after she revealed she was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.
It’s no surprise that Kate has been out of the public eye for quite a while now. But today, she broke her silence and gave her first update on her cancer battle — and announced her first public appearance.
In a personal statement released this afternoon, Kate revealed that while she was “not out of the woods yet,” she would be making a return to public life this summer, beginning with the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday.
The annual event, held in London, celebrates the official birthday of King Charles III.
“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” Kate wrote in the statement.
“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”
The Princess of Wales also opened up on her cancer battle for the first time, saying that while she still has ways to go and has faced challenges, she is making good progress.
“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months,” she wrote. “It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.”
“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.”
The statement also included a photo of Kate, standing outside against a tree. It’s the first official photo of the royal since the palace released an apparently doctored Mother’s Day photo of Kate and her children, which caused a media frenzy and widespread speculation about her health.
Kate’s health has been in the news since back in January, when she announced she would be hospitalized for what was reportedly an abdominal surgery. But her long absence from public life fueled rumors that her health was actually worse than the palace was admitting to.