With only a few days from the commencement of the Holyrood Week in Scotland, questions have been raised about whether the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, would be able to grace the occasion. The royal family’s Scotland trip is their annual summer break, where they reside at the Balmoral Castle. The week-long event is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
All eyes have been on the Princess of Wales since it was reported she was battling cancer. Unsurprisingly, Kate Middleton has had to cut back on her royal duties lately to enable the future Queen ample time to rest and for chemotherapy. The palace recently provided an update on Kate Middleton’s health amid plans for their Scotland trip.
Kate Middleton’s Health Challenges
Before her recent public appearance at the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15, 2024, Kate Middleton last appeared for official duty on December 25, 2023, when she joined her family as they walked to church at Sandringham on Christmas morning. On January 16, 2024, Kensington Palace announced that Kate Middleton had been admitted to the London Clinic without any further details about her condition. It was the first time the public knew the Princess was having any health challenges. The next day, Kensington Palace gave an update stating that Kate was admitted for a “planned abdominal surgery.” According to the statement, the surgery had been successful, but Kate would remain at the hospital for 10 to 14 days for close observation before returning to her family home.
As such, Kate was not expected to resume her official duties until sometime after Easter. Kate Middleton was discharged on January 29, 2024. With hopes and prayers for her recovery, Kensington Palace did not provide any update until it was announced her husband, Prince William, would no longer attend the planned Thanksgiving for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece. The only reason provided was that it was a result of a “personal matter.” Initially, many thought it was because of his father, King Charles, who had been announced to have been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer on February 5, 2024. Then, on March 10, 2024, Kate shared the controversial Mother’s Day photo that was later retracted because it had been edited.
Kate issued an apology the next day, stating, “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing….” On March 16, 2024, Kate and William were spotted at a farm shop in a video obtained by TMZ. It was the first time the public had seen the Princess since she was hospitalized. On March 22, 2024, Kate, in a video statement, revealed that after the abdominal surgery done in January, further tests revealed that “cancer had been present.” Unsurprisingly, Kate, William, and their three kids were noticeably absent from the royal family’s annual Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Kate shared an update on June 14, 2024, stating, “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.” The next day, she joined the royal family at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, making it her first official public appearance since December 25, 2023.
Will Kate Middleton Join the Royal Family in Scotland for their Annual Summer Break?
With the Holyrood Week scheduled to take place about two weeks from Kate Middleton’s last public appearance at the Trooping the Colour, there are expectations the Princess of Wales will make the trip. However, a recent palace update reveals Kate Middleton may be unable to make the Scotland trip. Despite looking stunning and glamorous at the Trooping the Colour, Kate is still undergoing chemotherapy. As she stated a day before her first public appearance in 2024, “…there are good days and bad days.”
Although her earlier announced six-month break has ended, unofficial reports from the palace stated the Princess isn’t expected to return to her official duties as she once did. Commenting further on the Scotland trip, royal commentator Cameron Walker, who stated the palace was “unsure” about Kate joining the family at the Balmoral Palace, also spoke about King Charles. Walker stated, “If King Charles is well enough to travel, the traditional trip will be cut short for him.”
What Happens During Holyrood Week?
Although popularly known as the Holyrood Week, it is called the Royal Week in Scotland. Holyrood Week is an annual week-long event that happens every year. During the week, the British monarch visits various regions of Scotland. Often, on the first day of the week, which will be on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, King Charles and his royal family are offered the keys to the city of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost, proclaiming, “Your ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland.” The event takes place at the forecourt of Holyrood Palace.
An Investiture is held at the Great Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse by the King to meet with Scottish residents who have contributed to the Scottish nation. A Garden Party, catered to thousands of Scots, is also held in the afternoon, where the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh join the Majesties. This year, King Charles will appoint the Duke and Duchess to the Order of The Thistle at the St. Giles’ Cathedral. Last year, Queen Camilla was appointed to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of The Thistle.
Also, this year, the British monarch and family will be hosted at Edinburgh Castle for the 900th anniversary of the City of Edinburgh. One of the last events for this year’s Holyrood Week is the Scottish Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award celebration. The event will take place on Friday, July 5, 2024, at the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If you enjoyed reading about Kate Middleton’s Scotland trip update, check out these 10 things you didn’t know about the Princess of Wales.
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