King keen to saddle up for Trooping the Colour
THE King wants to get back on his horse following his cancer diagnosis with plans to appear on his favourite steed at Trooping the Colour.
Charles will return to public duties this week with the blessing of his doctors, attending a cancer treatment clinic with Queen Camilla on Tuesday.
The King, 75, is still undergoing treatment for the disease but his medical team are understood to be ‘pleased with the progress made so far’.
Buckingham Palace announced on Friday plans for his first public engagement in four months, which will be especially poignant given his cancer battle as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, who is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed cancer.
It has now been reported that the monarch – seen driving himself to church yesterday – is determined to saddle up on his horse Noble for Trooping the Colour in June. He is said to want to be seen to ‘lead from the front’. The sight would provide a huge boost to the nation following Charles’ shock diagnosis.
His appearance on horseback is not guaranteed, as doctors are still urging caution. Last year Noble, a black mare which was a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was slightly frisky during the procession from Buckingham Palace, up The Mall.
Sources told the Mail all options are still on the table and no firm decision will be taken until nearer the time, given the nature of His Majesty’s condition. It will be dependent on medical advice, as well as issues such as the weather on the day.
An insider told The Sun on Sunday: ‘It is a sign of the King’s desire to get back to work and follow the mantra of the late Queen that a monarch needs to be seen.
‘He is raring to go. He doesn’t need to appear on horseback at Trooping the Colour because his mother did stand down when she was 60, but believes if it can be achieved – and with the agreement of royal doctors – then he wants it to happen.’
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary today. Kate, 42, married William at Westminster Abbey in 2011 after meeting at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.