3 Reasons Why Kate Middleton Probably Won’t Be at Trooping the Colour This Weekend

As the 2024 Trooping the Colour nears, talk of whether or not Kate Middleton will be there continues. Will she or won’t she? While the palace hasn’t confirmed the Princess of Wales’ attendance (she already missed the rehearsal), we’re taking a look at reasons Kate’s likely not to make an appearance. 

1. Kate’s doctors may not OK a Trooping the Colour appearance 

Kate, who has attended Trooping the Colour many times before, may want to witness the festivities in person on June 15, 2024; however, doctors may not have cleared her. 

“She’s still recovering, and her doctors haven’t given her the green light to get back to work full-time yet,” a source said, per OK. 

“Going through chemotherapy has been particularly rough on her,” they added. “She’s very frail and afraid she won’t be able to give her all to an official engagement right now.” 

Previously, Vanity Fair reported that Kate had “turned a corner” with preventative chemotherapy treatment, which she began around the time of her March 2024 diagnosis announcement video. Although perhaps not enough to have her attend one of the biggest events on the royal family’s calendar. 

2. Kate would take the spotlight away from King Charles by going to Trooping

There’s no denying that if Kate goes to Trooping the Colour, it’d be a big deal. So much so, according to PR advisor Rhea Freeman, she’d more than likely find herself squarely in the spotlight. That wouldn’t be good because the event’s all about celebrating King Charles III‘s birthday.

“If Kate were to appear on the balcony, it would definitely dominate the news,” Freeman told GB News. The king, however, may not mind. “From everything I’ve read and seen, I would imagine that the King would be delighted to have her there.” 

Just standing on the balcony “would reinforce the strength of the monarchy moving forward. Something that has been questioned by some with both the King and Kate’s recent health concerns.” 

3. The ‘glare’ of the Trooping the Colour spotlight may be too much for Kate right now

Going to Trooping the Colour is no small feat for any royal, let alone one who has undergone surgery and cancer treatment in the space of a few months. 

In Kate’s case, re-entering the spotlight at the annual birthday celebration may simply be too big of a launchpad.

After all, as one insider told OK, Kate’s “been away so long that she’ll be under the intense glare of the spotlight” whenever she steps out again. (She hasn’t made an in-person public appearance since Christmas Day, 2023.) 

“People will be analyzing every tiny detail of her appearance.” Needless to say, with crowds filling London streets and a live broadcast, that will most likely be the case at Trooping the Colour.

Kate, they added, “wouldn’t want to show up looking anything less than her best. Everyone has always expected her to be perfect at all times.” 

Whatever happens, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield claims there’s “no pressure” on Kate to get back to work.  

“King Charles and Prince William have repeatedly stressed […] that she should feel no pressure to return to public duty until she is ready.”

“She has been spotted around town, looking upbeat,” Schofield said of the royal mother of three. “Neighbors and her children’s schoolmates’ families have been protective of her and do what they can to ensure that she is protected from prying eyes.”