Unable to attend the Colonel’s Review today, the Princess of Wales sent a letter to the Irish Guards expressing how proud she is of the entire Regiment.
The letter, shared by the Irish Guards on social media, shares how Catherine appreciates how everyone has been “practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniform and drill are immaculate.”
The Colonel’s Review takes place one week before Trooping the Colour and acts as a final dress rehearsal for the more than 1,400 soldiers taking part. Each year, a different Regiment troops their Colour at the event.
This year, the Irish Guards—more specifically, the Number 9 Irish Guards—are trooping their Colour.
As part of the Colonel’s Review, the Colonel of the Regiment is invited to take the salute. Catherine, who has been Colonel of the Irish Guards since 2022, is being represented by General James Bucknall. General Bucknall is Colonel of the Coldstream Guards.
The royal apologised for being unable to attend the Colonel’s Review and signed off with hopes that “I am able to represent you all once again very soon.” She signed the letter as ‘Colonel Catherine’ with the Regiment’s motto, “Quis Separabit.”
The Irish Guards shared on social media that they were “deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel” and that they wish her well as she continues her cancer treatments.
The British Army shared a message from Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of The Household Division, who said that everyone involved is “even more determined to make the Colonel’s Review the best yet for her. We are so proud to have The Princess of Wales as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.”
Catherine has been receiving preventative chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, and has stopped all public engagements during her treatments.
While Kensington Palace has not shared updates on Catherine’s health since her March announcement that she has cancer, earlier this week in France, William spoke with a D-Day veteran and assured him that “she is better.”
Catherine’s attendance at Trooping the Colour next Saturday has not been announced. The King, himself only just returned to public duties following his own cancer treatments, is expected to attend the event—his official birthday celebration—by carriage rather than horseback.
