Before Friday's surprise announcement that the Princess of Wales will attend Trooping the Colour on June 15 - her first public appearance in nearly six months, since Christmas 2023 - she made a surprise appearance at today's ceremony "if she is well enough" to continue her cancer treatment. Rumors were circulating that she was "considering" making an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Kate has attended "Trooping the Colour" without fail since marrying into the royal family in 2011, and would normally be a regular part of the event, but after cancer was discovered during her scheduled abdominal surgery in January and the news of it in February, 2024 was " It was not "normal. She revealed her diagnosis in a courageous video message on March 22 and has since been laying low, undergoing preventive chemotherapy and prioritizing her health.

Kate's last public appearance was on Christmas Day 2023, when she attended a traditional service at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Sandringham Manor with the rest of the royal family. While today's public appearance is a preview of things to come, in her own words, "I am not out of the woods yet."

Kate stated that she hopes to "participate in some public appearances over the summer," writing that she is "learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty," and continued.

"I'm taking it one day at a time, listening to my body and allowing myself the time I need to heal."

As for when she will return to work, royal historian Gareth Russell told Us Weekly that he believes she will return to her official duties "when she feels ready for them, not because she feels pressure."

And as for the ambiguity of when the princess will return, "I think the royal family has made it clear that they will keep that to themselves until she is ready to do so," Russell said. 'I think that's probably for the best. While many media outlets have reported that when Kate returns, it may not look the same as it once did, Russell replied, "I think they are probably trying to draw a line with this Crown Princess that there will be less of a sense of public ownership in her private [life]."

Katie Nicole, a royal writer and royal correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, told The Sun that Kate had "turned the corner" regarding her health and would return to work "100 percent" as soon as her medical team cleared her. 'I have it on very good authority from sources very close to Her Royal Highness that she initially struggled with the treatment,' Nicole said. 'It's preventative chemotherapy, which is not fun. It's a major surgery, followed by a fairly long recovery period, and then you have to undergo more treatment. I think she was struggling in the beginning, and I was very, very relieved to hear from multiple sources that she had recently turned the corner."

In response to reports that Kate would not be returning to public service in the same capacity again, Nicole said, "I really don't think so. Everything I hear is that she is going back to work. She is 100% going to be back as the Princess of Wales and doing the same great job she was doing before. It's just when she's ready and, importantly, when she gets the sign off from her medical team"

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In Kate's own words, "I'm doing well, but as anyone going through chemo knows, there are good days and bad days. But as anyone who goes through chemo knows, there are good days and there are bad days." But on days when I'm feeling good, when I feel strong, I want to make the most of the fact that I'm doing well."

She added, "Treatment is ongoing and will continue for a few more months. On days when I feel well enough, I enjoy participating in school life, spending personal time on things that give me energy and positivity, and starting a little work at home."

Kate also thanked the "many kind messages of support and encouragement over the past few months," adding that "it has really made a difference for William and I and helped us both get through a tough time."

She concluded her statement, which was unprecedented in terms of royal candor and openness, with the words, "I really appreciate your continued understanding and everyone who bravely shared your story with me."

Speaking about today's Trooping the Colors, Russell said it is "a tradition from the days of George II in the early 18th century," but instead of riding a horse at the first Trooping the Colors as a monarch last year, King Charles will ride in a carriage with his wife Queen Camilla.

"Given my ongoing cancer treatment, my doctor has made it clear that I would prefer to ride in a carriage," Russell said.

The King and the Crown Princess are understood to be closer than ever as they share an unexpected period of their lives together, and perhaps that is why Kate felt compelled to honor and celebrate the King today with "Trooping the Colour."

According to People, Kate will also ride in a carriage with her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and her husband Prince William will join them on horseback. She will watch the parade from the Major General's office overlooking the parade ground, then return to Buckingham Palace to join the rest of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force flypast, the highlight of the annual event that concludes the celebrations.