Buckingham Palace has not yet confirmed which members of the Royal family will attend. The contingent will be smaller than usual, in part to shield the King from infection risk and in part because of the absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.
The Telegraph also understands that the Royal family aims to reassemble for a full show of support for Britain’s veterans at the 80th anniversary of D-Day, as the King begins to take “gentle steps” back towards his normal public duties.
The King and Prince of Wales will honour the sacrifices of the Second World War generation on the June 6 anniversary, with plans for senior members of the family to travel to Normandy.
The King is now “building back” to key engagements towards the summer, sources say, with plans underway for some in-person events once he receives medical clearance.
He has this week undertaken his largest engagement since he was diagnosed with cancer, hosting a dozen religious leaders for an interfaith roundtable at Buckingham Palace.
Aides have said the King’s attendance at any event is “to be hoped for and planned for rather than assumed”, dependent on his health.
His diary is being sketched out around two key events: Trooping the Colour, which celebrates his official birthday and falls on June 15 this year, and the D-Day event on June 6.
The Prince of Wales also plans to take part in events to honour D-Day veterans, with the recognition of their service said to be “very important” to him.
The Prince, whose wife has also been undergoing treatment for cancer, will resume his programme of engagements in mid-April after he and the Princess have spent the Easter school holidays with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Princess will not attend any public engagements until her own medical team rule that she is well enough.
On Good Friday, the Duchess of Edinburgh was photographed enjoying a solo carriage ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle. She and her husband have taken on additional Royal duties since the King’s illness was announced, with the Duke visiting Scotland this week alongside the Princess Royal.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
