Kate Middleton Apologizes for Missing Colonel's Notice for Cheating Color Amid Cancer Treatment

Kate Middleton apologizes for missing the Colonel's Trooping the Color review in the midst of his cancer treatment.

In a letter sharing by the Irish Guards on social media, the Princess of Wales regretted not being able to be there to greet them during the high-profile rehearsal. In the letter dated June 3, Middleton said she wanted to let them know she was “proud of the entire regiment ahead of the colonel's review and parade of the flag.”

“Being your Colonel remains a great honor, and I am truly sorry that I will not be able to receive the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review,” she added. “Please pass on my apologies to the entire regiment, but I hope to be able to represent you again very soon.”

The Colonel's Revue, where soldiers in scarlet coats and fur hats will parade accompanied by military bands, is planned for Saturday. The mother of three children was appointed colonel of the Irish Guards in 2022, taking on the role after her longtime husband Prince William.

The revue usually serves as the final parade rehearsal before Trooping the Color on June 15. ET has learned that Gen. James Bucknall will replace Middleton as the inspecting officer during the review.

For his part, King Charles, who also underwent treatment for an unspecified cancerwill be present for Trooping the Color, although he will inspect the troops from a horse-drawn carriage rather than on horseback as he did in 2023. In late April, the monarch attended his first public engagement since announcing his diagnosisfittingly stepping out at the Macmillan Cancer Center at University College Hospital in London alongside his wife, Queen Camilla.

Meanwhile, royal expert Katie Nicholl told ET that Middleton has taken a positive step in the middle his fight against cancer.

“She tolerates it preventive chemotherapy better. I think she had a hard time at first. These are strong medications she's on, but she's tolerating them better and she's doing better,” Nicholl says. “We've had reports from members of the public that she was out and about. Some people told me she was going out with the kids. It’s a really positive sign.”

As for when Middleton might return to public office, that remains unclear.

“She made it very clear that she wanted to stay out of the spotlight,” says Nicholl. “She needs this time and to go under the radar to recover. We're so used to seeing her on that balcony.”

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