Kate Middleton will be making first public appearance at Trooping the Colour following cancer update

The Princess of Wales has announced that she is making “good progress” in her chemotherapy treatment and will make a return to public life for Saturday’s Trooping the Colour.

In a personal statement, she said she was “not out of the woods yet”, and that her course of preventative treatment would continue.

Kate added she was having “good days and bad days”, and was learning to be “patient” in allowing herself time to heal.

The 42-year-old royal - who is married to Prince William and has Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis with him - announced towards the end of March that she had been undergoing preventative treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer and in her first official update since she admitted that she has been "blown away" by the support shown to her.

She said: "I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.

"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

"My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."

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Kate also noted that she will be making her first official public appearance at Trooping the Colour over the weekend and even though she is "not out of the woods yet" with regards to her health, she is focusing on taking things one day at a time.

She said: "I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

"I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal.
"Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me."

The statement was accompanied by a new image of Kate, taken in Windsor by Matt Porteous, a professional photographer, this week.

Kate had abdominal surgery in January, and has not taken part in a public engagement since the walk to Sandringham Church at Christmas.

In March, she released a video telling the world she was having treatment following the discovery of cancer. At the time of the update, the palace said the Princess would return to official duties only when she was “cleared to do so by her medical team”.

“She may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice,” added a source at the time. “Any initial public events will not necessarily signal a return to a regular public schedule.”

Last Saturday, Kate missed the Trooping the Colour rehearsal, the Colonel’s Review, at which she was set to play a key role for the first time as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Instead, she wrote a letter telling them, “Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.”

We're glad Kate is starting to feel better!

- Bang! Showbiz with additional writing by Daily Telegraph UK, republished here with edits and permission