The Princess of Wales wore Jenny Packham for her first public appearance of the year. She and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, attended the Trooping of the Colour procession, used to mark the King’s birthday parade.
Catherine chose a white, fitted dress with a statement monochrome bow tied at the collar and a matching waistband – a custom design made especially for her. The British brand is a favourite of the princess, having worn a number of its romantic, sweeping gowns to previous public events. She accessorised the dress with white court shoes and a structured, wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat from the label’s spring/summer 2024 collection. She finished the look with pearl earrings shaped in a flower design by jeweller Cassandra Goad, which she previously wore at Prince Louis’s christening in 2018, and The Irish Guards regimental brooch, a reference to her role as colonel of the Irish Guards. The princess’ ensemble was typical of her signature style, understated, polished and quietly striking.
The smiling princess waved at the crowds from the Glass State Coach as she and her children travelled to Horse Guards Parade in London. Their carriage was preceded by the Duke of Wales who rode on horseback in full ceremonial dress. After arriving at the event, Catherine and the children watched the procession from the window of the Duke of Wellington’s former office. The family then made their way to Buckingham Palace where they watched the Red Arrows flypast from the royal balcony. The Wales’ were joined by the King and Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
This is the first time the princess has performed any public royal duties this year after disclosing in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In a deeply moving video released at the time, Catherine said that cancer was discovered during the course of post-operative tests, after she underwent major abdominal surgery at the London Clinic at the start of the year. The 42-year-old princess said that she needed to recover from surgery before she could start “preventative chemotherapy”, as advised by her medical team. She has since taken a break from public life in order to heal.
Three months later, on the 14th June, Kensington Palace revealed the princess would attend the Trooping of the Colour, and shared a new portrait of the royal. “His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Harper’s Bazaar on behalf of King Charles III.
Catherine also offered a personal message thanking the public for their support, “continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.” She added that she hopes to attend more public engagements later this summer.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said in a statement. “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.”