As the British Royal Family prepares for the thrilling finale of King Charles's birthday celebrations, the Trooping the Colour ceremony, all eyes are on the potential absence of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. The 42-year-old royal, who is currently undergoing preventative cancer treatment, has not confirmed her attendance at the event, which traditionally sees hordes of royals pack the Buckingham Palace balcony for the magnificent RAF flypast.
According to royal expert and historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, Kate Middleton's decision on whether to attend the ceremony will inevitably lead to questions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020. "Whether [Kate] will make a balcony appearance on the big day on June 15 remains the great unknown," Dunlop told the Mirror. "My hunch is she will give us a wave, but if she doesn't (entirely her prerogative) questions about Harry and Meghan are bound to surface."
Dunlop added that the Sussexes are now "out of the picture" and were not invited to the balcony in 2022. If the Princess of Wales chooses to stay away from the event, the balcony cast will have even slimmer pickings, raising questions about the role of non-working royals. "All those cousins Eugenie, Beatrice, and Zara - who have long behaved with hallmark loyalty would surely relish the prospect of standing shoulder to shoulder with their King. After all, isn't that what families are for?" Dunlop remarked.
The potential absence of Kate Middleton, who Dunlop describes as "British royalty at its best," highlights the changes the Royal Family has undergone in the past year. "2024 is not royal service as usual. And nor should it be," Dunlop explained. "Our most glamorous royal player, like her father-in-law and King, has cancer and health must come first. But let's not pretend Kate won't be missed at Trooping the Colour."
Despite her ongoing treatment, the Princess of Wales is understood to be "considering" making an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony if she feels well enough on the day, according to the Mirror. Sources told the outlet that the mother of three may join other senior royals to witness the traditional RAF Flypast after the ceremony on June 15.
Grant Harrold, a former butler to the King, told The New York Post that the Trooping the Colour is an annual event that the royals participate in, with different royals taking on various roles. "In the past, Kate has taken the Salute at the rehearsal, the Colonel's Review," Harrold said. This year, a trusted stand-in, James Bucknall, will be taking over the role in Middleton's absence
