In a surprising turn of events, the Palace announced on May 30th that the Princess of Wales, Catherine, will not fulfill her role as inspecting officer at the upcoming Colonel’s review on June 8th.

This pivotal rehearsal traditionally precedes the grand celebration of King Charles’s birthday parade, Trooping the Color, scheduled for the following week.

The esteemed Honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, Princess Catherine, has been bravely battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, leaving her attendance at Trooping the Color uncertain.

Instead, the salute at the Colonel’s review will be taken by Lieutenant General James Bucknall, a former commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, and Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of the Household Division, expressed heartfelt support for the Princess’s recovery.

“We wish the Colonel of the Irish Guards the best of best wishes for her recovery, and again the Irish Guards are hugely proud to have her as their Colonel and want to put on a really special show this year,” Shaw stated.

Trooping the Color, a spectacular parade performed three times over consecutive weekends each year, culminates with the reigning monarch in attendance. Shaw, overseeing preparations for the Colonel’s review, noted the significance of this year’s event.

Adding to the royal intrigue, it was confirmed that King Charles, aged 75, will partake in the magnificent military procession for his public birthday festivities, despite his ongoing cancer treatment.

This year, the King will break tradition by opting to review the troops from the comfort of an asset land or carriage alongside Queen Camilla, rather than on horseback. This shift echoes Queen Elizabeth’s decision in 1987 to transition from horseback riding in the parade to sitting in a coach at the age of 60.

With both King Charles and Princess Catherine facing health challenges, the Palace’s latest announcements have heightened speculation about this year’s Trooping the Color.

Princess Catherine has maintained a low profile since revealing her diagnosis on March 22nd, while King Charles resumed public duties in late April after the Palace announced his diagnosis in February.

In the midst of these developments, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a general election on July 4th, prompting the Royals to cancel scheduled outings to avoid overshadowing the election campaign. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that Trooping the Color will proceed as planned, honoring its fixed place on the national ceremonial calendar.

Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable Trooping the Color, showcasing the resilience and pageantry of the British Monarchy amidst challenging times.