Rishi Sunak speaks on Princess of Wales’ first public appearance in six months

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak today said that the decision of Princess of Wales to attend an event, her first public appearance in six months, will inspire people who are fighting cancer.

"The Princess of Wales’ statement will be especially meaningful to those who are fighting cancer and for their families. They will recognise the same struggle in her words and draw hope and inspiration from her strength. I'm delighted she will be in attendance for His Majesty's Birthday Parade and I know the whole country is behind her," Sunak said in a statement on X.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced on Friday she will make her first public appearance in six months this weekend after "making good progress" in treatment for cancer.

The 42-year-old future queen will attend King Charles III's annual birthday parade on Saturday with other senior royals, which the British monarch is participating in despite his own cancer battle.


Kate, as she is widely known, said in a statement she was "not out of the woods yet" but that she hoped to join in "a few public engagements over the summer".

"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," she said, adding treatment for the unspecified cancer would continue "for a few more months".

"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."

Kate, married to heir-to-the-throne Prince William and mother to their three young children, noted that she has started to do "a little work from home" on days when she "feels well enough".

"It is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity," she added.

The princess said she was "looking forward to the king's birthday parade this weekend with my family" while noting her intention to attend other events in the coming months.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles "is delighted that the princess is able to attend tomorrow's events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day".

Kate's statement, first released on social media channels, was accompanied by a photograph -- taken earlier this week in Windsor, west of London -- of the princess standing in front of a tree next to a river.

With Agency Inputs