The Princess of Wales broke her silence amid cancer treatment today, issuing a letter to the Irish Guards, wishing them good luck ahead of the Colonel's Review next weekend.
In a moving social media post, the Irish Guards, of whom the royal is the Colonel, shared a video of the heartfelt letter being read out, as they watched on.
Princess Kate signed off the letter, Colonel Catherine, delighting royal fans on social media. Watch the moving clip below...
Her emotional note, delivered on monogrammed paper, read: "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 Colour.
"I appreciate everyone Trooping the Colour this year has been practicing for months and dedicating many hours to ensure their uniforms and drill are immaculate.
"Being your Colonel remains an honour and I'm very sorry that I'm unable to make the salute at this year's Colonel's Review.
"Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment. I do hope that I'm able to represent you all once again very soon.
"Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved."
She signed off the letter with the Latin phrase, 'Quis separabit' which translates to 'Who shall separate (us)?'
Her words received a round of applause from the Guards at the conclusion of the letter.
The Irish Guards accompanied the moving video with a touching message of their own, writing: "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."
They too signed off their note, 'Quis separabit', echoing Princess Kate's sentiment.
Will Princess Kate attend the Trooping the Colour?
Before she issued her message, there was speculation that the Princess of Wales might attend the Trooping the Colour ceremony, according to ITV News’ Royal Producer Lizzie Robinson, who spoke with HELLO!'s Right Royal Podcast hosts Andrea Caamano, Emmy Griffiths and HELLO!’s royal editor Emily Nash in this week’s episode, titled A Right Royal Commemoration. You can listen below...
Speaking about the upcoming event, and whether or not Princess Kate could make a brief balcony appearance alongside her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, Lizzie highlighted that whilst the palace had confirmed Princess Kate would miss the Colonel’s review this upcoming Saturday, they hadn’t said anything about a possible outing for Trooping, which she says, "has left this question mark over whether she might be there."
However, given her emotional note, it seems clear the royal will sadly not be in attendance.
LISTEN: The latest episode of HELLO!'s Right Royal Podcast
LISTEN: The latest episode of HELLO!'s Right Royal Podcast