The monarch presented the Irish Guards, of which Kate is the honorary colonel, with their new flag, which will be processed at the King’s birthday parade this weekend

King Charles is getting ready for his birthday parade with the Irish Guards.

Ahead of this weekend’s Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the British monarch’s birthday, the King presented the Irish Guards with the regiment’s new flag (known as “colours”) at Windsor Castle on June 10. The event kicked off with the Band of the Irish Guards marching into the castle’s Quadrangle via the George IV Gate led by their mascot an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, who goes by the nickname “Seamus.”

The five regiments of the Foot Guards rotate who presents their flag at Trooping the Colour each year, and it is the Irish Guards’ turn to lead the parade through the streets of London.

King Charles presents new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle on June 10, 2024. PHOTO: BEN STANSALL – WPA POOL/GETTY

Kate Middleton is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, but she did not lead the Colonel’s Review on June 8 per tradition amid her cancer treatment. However, the Princess of Wales, 42, did send a letter sharing her “apologies.”

King Charles presents new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle on June 10, 2024. BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY

“I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping of the Colour,” she said. “I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.”

Kate continued, “Being your colonel remains a great honor, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”

The Princess of Wales signed her name as “Colonel Catherine.”

Kate Middleton with the Irish Guards for the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17, 2023. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The letter was read out to the troops at their barracks and received a round of applause.

Sharing the letter on social media, the Irish Guards said, “The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning. We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes.”

The Princess of Wales has a long history with the Irish Guards, even before she was named their honorary colonel in Dec. 2022, shortly after King Charles acceded the throne. She honored the regiment on most St. Patrick’s Day holidays since marrying into the royal family in 2011, as her husband, Prince William, previously held the title of their colonel. However, Kate missed the traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade this year before her cancer diagnosis was revealed and as she was recovering from abdominal surgery. Despite her absence, the Irish Guards kept Princess Kate top of mind during the festivities, giving her Kate three cheers at the end of their parade.

King Charles presents new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle on June 10, 2024. BEN STANSALL – WPA POOL/GETTY

Princess Kate has remained out of the public eye since sharing her cancer diagnosis on March 22, and it remains unclear if she will attend Trooping the Colour on June 15 alongside members of the royal family. She has attended the royal celebration every year since marrying Prince William, except in 2020 and 2021 when the event was scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was announced that King Charles will attend Trooping the Colour amid his own cancer diagnosis. The monarch, 75, recently resumed a fuller schedule of royal duties after working primarily behind the scenes for several months after publicly announcing his health news in February. However, he will ride in a horse-drawn carriage alongside Queen Camilla for the parade instead of on horseback as in previous years.

King Charles presents new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle on June 10, 2024. BEN STANSALL – WPA POOL/GETTY