Prince William steps in for King Charles at parade after revealing Kate ‘still has a long way to go’ as chemo ends
PRINCE William has been pictured attending the Sovereign’s Parade on behalf of the King today.
The Prince of Wales, 42, joined the parade at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, Lincolnshire.
It comes after he told royal fans on Wednesday during a visit to Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, wife Princess Kate “still has a long way to go” despite her chemo treatment now complete.
The royal couple and their three children appeared in a video on Monday, shot during a family holiday to Norfolk, in which she said she is cancer free.
The parade includes graduates from the Commissioned Warrant Officers Course and Modular Initial Officer Training Course.
In total, 48 Royal Air Force Cadets are passing out, alongside four International Officer Cadets from Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda.
The cadets have undergone up to 24 weeks of intensive training, which prepares them with the skills and knowledge required to set the foundations for a successful career in the RAF.
William is overseeing a Royal Salute before watching a fly past over the college.
During the parade, he will inspect the front rank of the Guard and present four awards, before delivering a short speech to congratulate the graduates.
Afterwards, he will join the graduating officers, their friends and families in the College Dining Room to hear about their experiences of the training programme and their hopes for their future careers.
William had thanked fans for their support on Wednesday, and told Pauline Thomas, 74: “It’s good news but there is still a long way to go.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted a message of thanks on social media, in both the English and Welsh languages.
William, as Patron, also visited the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters, Llanelli, to mark Air Ambulance Week.
His busy visit concluded at the home of the Llanelli Scarlets to celebrate the contribution of Welsh female rugby players in support of the Welsh Rugby Union’s “Missing Caps” campaign, ahead of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
He said: “I’d love to fly again, I could volunteer for a weekend to make a come back.”
The Prince revealed there are plans in the pipeline to fly with the Wales Air Ambulance from its base in Cardiff Bay.
KATE'S CANCER UPDATE: THE TIMELINE OF HER 'INCREDIBLY TOUGH' NINE MONTHS
January 16
Kate is secretly admitted to The London Clinic and undergoes abdominal surgery.
She attends the clinic rather than King Edward VII’s Hospital, which is usually the go-to establishment for royal family medical matters.
January 17
2pm – Kensington Palace announces the princess’s operation and says she will remain in the private hospital for 10-14 days.
She is not expected to return to duties until after Easter, taking up to three months to recover.
The Prince of Wales steps back from his official duties temporarily to care for his wife and children.
The exact nature of Kate’s condition is kept private, but it is not cancerous and Kensington Palace says the planned procedure was successful.
A source later says the princess is “doing well”.
January 18
The Prince of Wales spends time at his wife’s bedside, driving himself away from the back entrance during the low-key, private visit.
A serious-looking William was seen leaving the The London Clinic at about 12.35pm.
January 23
Kate’s hospital stay passes the one-week mark.
January 26
The King visits the Princess of Wales after he is admitted to The London Clinic for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
January 29
Kate leaves the clinic to continue her recovery at home.
February 5
Kensington Palace confirms the Prince of Wales is returning to official duties that week, beginning with an investiture.
Buckingham Palace announces the King has a form of cancer, but not prostate cancer, and has started treatment as an outpatient.
He will not carry out public-facing duties, but will carry on with behind-the-scenes state business and official papers, the Palace says.
February 7
William thanks the public for their “kind messages of support” after the King announced his cancer diagnosis, while also recognising those who wished Kate well as she recovered from planned abdominal surgery.
March 4
The princess is photographed for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery.
Kate is pictured in paparazzi shots near Windsor Castle wearing dark sunglasses in the passenger seat of a car, which was being driven by her mother, Carole Middleton.
March 5
The Army removes a claim on its website that the princess was reviewing Trooping the Colour in June.
Tickets were being sold on the official website for the June 8 military event, advertising an appearance by Kate.
March 10
Questions are raised that the first picture of the princess to be released after her abdominal surgery may have been manipulated before it was posted on social media by Kensington Palace.
The photo of Kate and her children, said by the palace to have been taken by William in Windsor earlier in the week, was celebrating Mother’s Day.
In the post, Kate said: “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months.
“Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C.”
The picture shows Kate sitting in a chair with her arms around Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who are on either side of her, with Prince George standing behind, as all four smile at the camera.
The photograph, shared with the media, is withdrawn by international picture agencies later the same day because of concerns that the image had been manipulated.
March 11
Kate publicly takes the blame for the manipulated photograph and issues a personal apology for the “confusion”.
Kate says: “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.
“I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused.
“I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.”
March 16
The princess is filmed smiling with her husband during a visit to a farm shop in Windsor.
March 19
An investigation is launched at The London Clinic over claims staff tried to access the princess’ private medical records.
At least one member of staff allegedly tried to access Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the hospital in January.
The UK privacy and data protection watchdog says it has received a breach report.
March 22
Kate announces she is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in an emotional video message.
She describes the “huge shock” after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family has experienced.
“It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,” she adds
April 18
William, who had spent the previous three and a half weeks with Kate and their children during the Easter holidays, returns to public work.
He visits Surplus to Supper, a surplus food redistribution charity, in Sunbury-on-Thames, and then a youth centre in west London.
May 10
William gives a positive update about his wife’s treatment during a visit to the Isles of Scilly, saying “she’s doing well”.
June 5
The prince chats to a veteran at a D-Day commemorative event in Portsmouth, and appears to suggest Kate is getting better, adding: “She’d love to be here today.”
June 8
The Princess of Wales writes a letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take the salute, and wishes them luck for The Colonel’s Review in London.
June 14
Kate issues a written message saying she is “making good progress” and has “good days and bad days”, adding: “I am not out of the woods yet.”
She confirms she will attend Trooping the Colour and that she “hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer” as she continues treatment “for a few more months”.
A new photograph of the royal, taken earlier the same week in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate, shows Kate stood in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a body of water.
June 15
The princess looks relaxed during her first day in the spotlight following her cancer diagnosis at the traditional Trooping ceremony.
She takes part in the carriage procession and joins the royal family including George, Charlotte and Louis on the Palace balcony.
July 14
Kate presents the Wimbledon men’s final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, in her second public engagement since her diagnosis.
The princess, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, is accompanied by her daughter Charlotte and chats to ball boys and girls and enters Centre Court to loud applause.
August 11
William, sporting a beard, and Kate appear in a video message congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics, with a compilation of messages from celebrities including Snoop Dogg and David Beckham.
August 25
Kate joins William, and the King and Queen at Crathie Church, near Balmoral Castle, in Scotland during a summer break in the Scottish Highlands.
September 6
The princess says she is “looking forward to working” with the UK’s new chief scout, Dwayne Fields.
A personal welcome message from Kate, who is joint president of the Scout Association, was posted on the Waleses’ official social media account.
September 8
Reports say Kate is hoping to join the royal family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and host her Christmas carol concert.
September 9
The Princess of Wales says she has finished chemotherapy and is “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months” but adds her focus is on “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
She shares a video montage of precious family time spent with William and her children over the summer.
In a personal message, Kate says “although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long”.
She adds: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand.”
He talked shop with the pilots and crew of the £8.5million Airbus H145S chopper, which he is still qualified to fly.
It came after mum-of-three, Kate, 42, spoke of her “relief” after finishing her treatment, adding that the last nine months have been “incredibly tough”.
In the touching video, Kate bravely told how she is continuing “to take each day as it comes” following the news.
She spoke of her relief as she lay her head on William’s shoulder.
And the Waleses can also be seen enjoying a picnic and playing games with the Middletons in the Norfolk-filmed clip.
Princess Kate's statement in full
PRINCESS Kate revealed on Monday that she is now cancer free after completing chemotherapy.
In a statement she said: “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.
“With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.
“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.
“I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.
“Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life.
“William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time. Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling.
“To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”