Princess Kate sends heart-warming letter to Irish Guards after missing Trooping the Colour rehearsal in cancer recovery

PRINCESS Kate today sent a heart-warming letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for missing the Colonel's Review amid her cancer recovery.

The regiment - of which the royal is Colonel-in-Chief - shared a video on X this morning showing the note being read out to troops as they prepared for today's precursor to Trooping the Colour.

She said her role as Colonel "remains a great honour", adding: "I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review."

The Colonel-in-Chief would typically take the salute at the review, which took place this morning.

It is a major hint that she will miss the main ceremony on June 15 entirely - though there is a chance she could watch it from the Buckingham Palace balcony and not take an active role.

Her letter said: "I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.

"I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.

"Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.

"Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.

"Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. Quis separabit."

In the X post, the Irish Guards said: "The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning.

"We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit."

With the ceremony marking King Charles' official birthday, Kate would've taken a key role.

The Colonel's Review is identical to The King’s Birthday Parade or Trooping the Colour, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride on the latter.

Taking part were 1,400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will paraded on Horse Guards.

It also included 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who lined the processional route along The Mall.

Kate uploaded a video to Instagram in which she bravely announced she was undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer.

In January it was confirmed she would be cancelling all royal engagements to undergo major abdominal surgery.

Palace sources insisted the Princess would continue to rest and recover until given the all-clear by her doctor.