Kate, Princess of Wales's Trooping the Colour appearance claim has been removed from the Army website after it was announced without approval from Kensington Palace.
There was confusion on Tuesday after the Army announced that the Princess, as Colonel of the Irish Guards, would review soldiers on parade on June 8. The announcement on the UK Ministry of Defense’s website drew attention because the June appearance would be the first major official duty confirmed for her since she underwent abdominal surgery.
Tickets were being sold on the official website for the military spectacle, advertising an appearance of the Princess with a picture of her on the website. Only Kensington Palace, the Princess of Waleses official office, can announce her attendance at a royal event and confirmation is not expected until nearer the time.
While plans are in place for the Princess to attend, sources said the Palace would make the official announcement as and when a final decision is made. Despite the alleged furore over the Army’s web page, the advertisement remained live throughout Tuesday and has only recently been removed.
The announcement caused confusion amid intense attention on the state of Kate’s health. The royal has been out of the public eye since January when palace officials announced that she was admitted to a private London hospital for an unspecified planned surgery. They didn’t provide more details but said that she wouldn’t return to public duties until after Easter.
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'Kate was discharged from the hospital on January 29 after two weeks. Palace officials have said she wished her personal medical information to remain private. Speculation about her health mounted last week when William at the last minute pulled out from a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, because of what officials called a “personal matter". Palace officials didn’t elaborate but reiterated that Kate continues to do well in her recovery.
The Army website previously read: "Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is identical to Trooping the Colour reviewed by His Majesty The King, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride when His Majesty The King is present. Taking part will be over 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 parade on Horse Guards for the second of two formal reviews. Trooping the Colour reviewed by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales also includes 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who will line the processional route along The Mall. The soldiers will be inspected by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Colonel Irish Guards."