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Catherine, Princess of Wales, apologized to the Irish Guards on 8 June 2024 for missing their Colonel’s Review, the final rehearsal before Trooping the Colour. A week later, she attended the King’s Birthday Parade in her first official public appearance since disclosing her cancer diagnosis. The apology was to the regiment—not a public apology for her absence—and the appearance did not signal a return to a full schedule of engagements.
What did Catherine apologize for?
As honorary colonel of the Irish Guards, Catherine would ordinarily take the salute at the regiment’s Colonel’s Review. She missed the 8 June 2024 rehearsal and sent the regiment a letter expressing regret. Associated Press reproduced her words: “Being your colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.” She also asked, “Please pass my apologies to the whole regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.” (Associated Press, 8 June 2024)
The recipient and occasion matter: this was a message to the Irish Guards about missing their rehearsal, not an apology to the public for stepping back while receiving treatment.
How the apology and parade fit together
| Date | Event | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 8 June 2024 | Colonel’s Review | The Irish Guards held their final rehearsal before the parade. Catherine, their honorary colonel, was absent and sent her apology to the regiment. (Associated Press) |
| 14 June 2024 | Attendance announced | Kensington Palace said she would attend the King’s Birthday Parade the following day. In her statement, she said treatment was ongoing and described chemotherapy as involving “good days and bad days.” (ITV News) |
| 15 June 2024 | Trooping the Colour | Catherine attended the parade with her family, traveling in the Glass Coach with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and later appeared with the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast. (Sky News) |
Why are the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour separate events?
Trooping the Colour, also known as the King’s Birthday Parade, is the annual military parade marking the sovereign’s official birthday. The Colonel’s Review is the dress rehearsal held beforehand. In 2024, the rehearsal took place on 8 June and the parade on 15 June. So Catherine’s apology came before her later attendance at the main event; the two moments were related to the same parade but were not the same occasion.
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#1 Best Overall
HAPTIME Toys for Boys, Toy Soldiers Set (50 pcs ) , Green Army Men Action Figures, Plastic Military Toys - Inspire Creative Play and Learning Adventures for Kids, Easter Egg Fillers
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Did her appearance mean she had returned to public duties?
No. Announcing her attendance on 14 June, Catherine said she was making progress but that her treatment was continuing. She also said she hoped to join a few public engagements over the summer while recognizing she was “not out of the woods yet.” (ITV News)
Her appearance on 15 June was her first official public appearance since revealing her diagnosis, but it was a single event, not the start of a full schedule of public engagements. The available reporting does not establish a broader timetable for her return.
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3 otters 120PCS Army Men Playset with Storage Bag Battle Map, Toys Soldier
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TOY Life Army Men Toy Set, Green Plastic Soldiers Action Figures, Army Guys Toys for Boys, Toy Army Men Set with Vehicles - Kids Army Toys for Ages 4-12
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AMOR PRESENT 120PCS Toy Soldiers, 4-Color Army Men Action Figures
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AMOR PRESENT 310PCS Soldier Set, Military Knight Pirate Castle Toy with Bag
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