The Duchess 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. 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 a structured, wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat in matching monochrome 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.
The Duchess waved at the crowds from the Glass State Coach as she and her children travelled to Horse Guards Parade in London. Their carriage was led 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.
This is the first time the Duchess has performed any public royal duties this year after disclosing in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer. She has since been recovering privately.
Yesterday, 14 June, Kensington Palace revealed she 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.”
