Expert: Kate Middleton’s Parade Appearance Was Straining

Kate Middleton’s appearance earlier this summer at Trooping the Colour took a “toll” on her, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. When Princess Catherine appeared at the June 15 event, a royal celebration for the reigning monarch’s birthday, she had to maintain public appearances despite her health struggles as she recovers from cancer.

“The princess has this sort of swan-like quality about her—she’s sort of gliding on the surface—but beneath the water, I think often she’s paddling quite frantically,” Nicholl told the outlet. “I can only imagine that a huge amount of preparation and time and effort and energy will have gone into Saturday’s appearance.”

Middleton was on her feet for an extended period. There was a moment when she was watching the parade and was offered a seat, which she accepted gratefully. According to Nicholl, “That’s just an acknowledgment that she is not as strong, not as fit, as she was before she went into this treatment.”

Nicholl went on to add, “I think a day like that, where she knows the eyes of the world are on her, there is a huge amount of scrutiny that will take its toll. I think we can probably imagine that she had a long and well-deserved rest afterward. I don’t think we can expect to see her in public for a little while. That’s going to take some recovery time.”

Middleton had broken the news of her return to the public eye just before the appearance, sharing a message updating her health status amid cancer treatment. She asked for “patience” as she continued to gauge what she was comfortable doing regarding her royal duties.

“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made a world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” Princess Catherine wrote. “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. 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. I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”

Source: Entertainment Tonight