The Princess of Wales has expressed her apologies to the Irish Guards for being unable to take the salute at the Colonel’s Review and has wished them luck for the Trooping the Color event. The Colonel’s Review parade rehearsal, a key event leading up to Trooping the Color, was held in central London on Saturday.
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@KensingtonRoyal@ArmyInLondon pic.twitter.com/KQUgB1RmBE— Irish Guards (@irish_guards) June 8, 2024
In a heartfelt letter read to the regiment, Catherine, who serves as their colonel, conveyed her pride and admiration for the regiment. “I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Color,” she wrote. “I appreciate everyone trooping the color this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.”
Catherine is currently undergoing chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis, which has prevented her from attending the event. She expressed her regret, stating, “Being your colonel remains an honor, 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. Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved.”
The letter concluded with the Latin phrase “quis separabit,” meaning “who will separate [us]?”, a motto associated with the British Army in Ireland.
The famous march of the British Grenadiers.
The Irish Guards did their Colonel, HRH The Princess of Wales proud today pic.twitter.com/C6t5aQv7zh
— Daniel J. Devane 🇬🇧 (@DanielJDevane) June 8, 2024
The Irish Guards shared a video of the letter being read to the regiment on social media, expressing their gratitude. “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.” The regiment responded with a round of applause after the letter was read.
The Colonel’s Review is held one week before the Trooping the Color parade, a tradition that has marked the sovereign’s birthday for over 260 years.
In Catherine’s absence, General James Bucknall will act as the chief inspecting officer for the Colonel’s Review.
Catherine’s attendance at Trooping the Color remains uncertain. In May, during a visit to the Isles of Scilly, the Prince of Wales provided an update on his wife’s treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, stating that she was “doing well.”
The Princess of Wales has written to the Irish Guards to apologize for missing the Colonel’s Review on Saturday
Continue reading ⬇️https://t.co/JeTw80ont4 pic.twitter.com/U3T61PkbML
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 8, 2024
Catherine has expressed her deep appreciation for the public’s support since announcing her cancer treatment in March. She described the diagnosis as a “huge shock” and has been “enormously touched” by the outpouring of support from the public.
Major Points:
- The Princess of Wales apologized to the Irish Guards for her inability to attend the Colonel’s Review due to undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
- Catherine expressed her pride in the regiment and their dedication to preparing for the Trooping the Color event.
- The letter, read to the regiment, included the Latin motto “quis separabit” and conveyed her best wishes for their success.
- General James Bucknall will represent Catherine as the chief inspecting officer at the Colonel’s Review in her absence.
- The Prince of Wales updated that Catherine is “doing well” with her treatment, and she has been deeply touched by the public’s support since her diagnosis.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
