Ap
Updated Wednesday, March 6, 2024-10:13
British royal family Kate Middleton will be hospitalized for two weeks after abdominal surgery
The
British government
appears to have made a mistake Tuesday after announcing that Kate, Princess of Wales, will attend a Trooping the Color ceremony in June, apparently before consulting palace officials.
The announcement on the UK Ministry of Defense website raised eyebrows because the June appearance would be the first confirmed major official event for Kate, 42, since undergoing abdominal surgery, but army officials seem have been rushed because
Prince William and Kate
's office
, Kensington Palace, has not confirmed any public events scheduled for Kate.
The announcement caused confusion amid intense
media attention on Kate's health
.
The royal has been out of the public eye since January, when palace officials announced that she had been
admitted to a private London hospital
to undergo unspecified surgery.
British media reported that the military did not seek approval from Kensington Palace before publishing details of Kate's appearance in June, and announced the event based on the expectation that Kate, in her role as colonel of the Irish Guards, would inspect the troops this year at the annual military ceremony.
The ceremonies, annual events prominent in the royal calendar, are birthday parades to honor the reigning monarch and often draw large crowds to
London's Horse Guards
and along The Mall, the promenade in front of Buckingham Palace.
This year, the Irish Guards carry their "colour" - or regimental flag - to the ceremony, so Kate, as the figurative head of the troops, would normally have led the inspection.
It is possible that palace officials will not confirm the monarch's attendance until the time approaches.
The royal family is coming under more scrutiny than usual in recent weeks, with both Kate and King Charles III unable to carry out their usual public duties due to health concerns.
Royal officials claim that Carlos is receiving treatment for
an unspecified form of cancer,
which was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The monarch has canceled all of his public engagements while he receives treatment.
Kate
was released from the hospital on January 29 after two weeks for her undisclosed condition.
Speculation about her health increased last week when William pulled out at the last minute of a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, due to what officials called a "personal matter." .
Palace officials did not provide further details, but reiterated that Kate continues to progress favorably in her recovery.