The Irish Guards are “hugely proud” to have Kate Middleton as their Colonel.

On May 30, the palace confirmed that the Princess of Wales, 42, would not serve as Inspecting Officer at the traditional Colonel’s Review on June 8, the final rehearsal before King Charles’ birthday parade known as Trooping the Colour the following week. Instead, the honor of taking the salute at the review will go to Lieutenant General James Bucknall, a former Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw — the Brigade Major of the Household Division, the sect of the British Army that organizes and performs Trooping the Colour — told GB News on May 30, “We wish the Colonel of the Irish Guards the best of best wishes for her recovery. And again, the Irish Guards are hugely proud to have her as their Colonel and want to put on a really special show this year.”

Bucknall’s brother also sent well wishes to Kate on X, writing: “I cannot not hide my pride for my brother, Colonel @ColdstreamGds standing in for Colonel @irish_guards 4 Colonels Review @Trooping but we must all pray for the full & speedy recovery of #ThePrincessofWales.”

Princess Kate is the honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, which are set to present their flag at King Charles’ birthday celebrations this year. It remains to be seen if the Princess of Wales will attend Trooping the Colour three months after she announced she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

The Bridage Major’s Review before Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade on May 30, 2024.
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The full Trooping the Colour parade is performed three times on consecutive weekends each year, with the final iteration attended by the reigning monarch. On May 30, Shaw was the officer responsible for overseeing the “khaki rehearsal” before the Major General’s Review on June 1 and the Colonel’s Review on June 8.

It was also confirmed on May 30 that King Charles, 75, will attend the epic military procession for his public birthday festivities amid his cancer treatment, although participating in a different way than last year. Instead of saddling up on horseback as he has in the past (including at the first Trooping of his royal reign in June 2023), the monarch will do the review while seated in an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla.

Queen Elizabeth, who died in Sept. 2022, hung up her stirrups and switched from horseback riding in the parade to sitting in a coach in 1987 when she was 60.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023.
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Before the latest palace announcement, many wondered what Trooping the Colour would look like this year as King Charles and Princess Kate receive cancer treatment. While the Princess of Wales has kept a low profile since sharing the news about her health on March 22, the King resumed public-facing duties in late April after the palace announced his diagnosis in February.

A further factor was U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement on May 22 of a general election on July 4, leading to royals canceling scheduled outings “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.”

(From left) Prince George, Prince Louis, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023.
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