LONDON – The royal family’s goal was clear: introduce the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, to the world, squash conspiracy theories, and reset the royal narrative before the summer break.
Reading the glowing coverage on British news sites on Saturday after Trooping The Color finished, palace agents were no doubt satisfied enough to declare the job accomplished.
“Katherine was absolutely amazing,” one of Kate’s friends told The Daily Beast. Her statement was exceptional, and her appearance today was graceful and elegant, filling people with hope.”
Another royal source said: “She knocked it out of the park. She looked stunning and sent all the right messages. This has been the best day for the royal since the coronation” (meaning King Charles’ Day).
the telegraph He said of the ceremony: “It was this tangible, together, so human, appearance of royalty like no other: a family reunion against the odds.”
in London times “With some moments in the royal history books, it would put her royalty at the top of the pile,” he said, adding how powerful it was to see Kate and King Charles – both undergoing cancer treatment – side by side on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. . “Little happens by chance when it comes to royal photos and letters,” royal correspondent Roya Nikah wrote. “Seeing Charles side by side with the Princess on the balcony of Buckingham Palace speaks volumes about his pride in his beloved daughter-in-law.”
the Mail The verdict was that the event was “a dazzling and astonishing reminder of the skill, discipline and loyalty of our Armed Forces”.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Holly Adams/Reuters
British politicians, who face a general election next month, were keen to wrap themselves in the royal flag.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted, “God save the King,” while his likely successor as Prime Minister after next month’s election, Sir Keir Starmer, posted, “Congratulations to Your Majesty. Thank you to all our dedicated service staff for this fantastic display of Trooping the Colour.”
Even the weather cooperated. The clouds parted and the sun shone brightly as the royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to receive the nation’s well wishes on the King’s official birthday.
It was impossible for optimists not to look at the bright blue sky after a morning of heavy rain as a metaphor; The royal family, stricken with cancer in this year of misfortune and bad luck, eventually managed to survive.
King Charles was alive, if not looking particularly well (he was even adamantly royalist). The Daily Telegraph He had to admit that he looked “a little worn out”) as he shepherded his family toward a brighter future.
But make no mistake, the day was really all about Kate, who, against all odds, pulled off a shiny cannon for a comeback of such last-minute narrative perfection that if it were a story in a TV series, it would risk being dismissed as implausible.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrives at the Horse Guards’ performance of the King’s birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, in London on June 15, 2024.
Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images
Kate’s presence was It said, had been the subject of top-secret planning for several weeks, but was finally confirmed at 6pm last night. After a week of furious speculation, Kate issued an extraordinary statement very different from anything any member of the royal family has ever issued, in which she shared her happiness at being able to attend the Trooping (and start working from home) but also went into great detail about how chemotherapy made her feel. Burnout, “bad days”, “uncertainty”.
But one phrase Kate used struck a cautious and somber note: Kate said she was “not out of the woods yet.”
It was a frank admission of the seriousness of her ongoing condition. In briefings, the Palace has repeatedly stressed to reporters that Kate’s attendance at Trooping the Color should not be confused with the assumption that she is now on her way back to public life.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, on the balcony during the Color Band at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Here is the fly in the ointment. Having triumphantly proven that Kate is well enough to participate for hours on end in a festive event, it is rather difficult for the Palace to also say that she will not attend, say, the Garter Parade or Royal Ascot next week.
Of course, people with cancer and their families will understand. This is the reality of cancer treatment; Those “good days” that Kate referred to in her statement usually come near the end of each cycle of chemotherapy.
But the genie is out of the bottle. Expectations will now grow to see Kate return to work.
So, a lot depends on what exactly Kate meant by her careful, careful wording when she said, in that unprecedented statement: “I’m not out of the woods yet. I’m learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty.”