Health woes force Princess Kate and King Charles to miss event close to Royal family’s hearts

Health Issues Prevent Princess Kate and King Charles from Attending Beloved Royal Event

The much-anticipated Chelsea Flower Show, a cherished fixture in the Royal Family’s calendar, is fast approaching, but notable absentees this year will be Princess Kate and King Charles. Traditionally, this event draws a bevy of royals including the Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice, Queen Camilla, and The Duchess of Edinburgh, yet confirmation reveals that only one royal couple will grace this year’s event – The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Princess Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, a Danish-born member of the British royal family married to Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, will represent the royal contingent. The show officially opens to the public on May 21st, with a preview scheduled on the 20th at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which will be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as per the royal diary.

Unfortunately, King Charles will be absent due to ongoing cancer treatment, which has necessitated a pause in his public engagements. The Chelsea Flower Show holds significant sentimental value for the Royal Family, with Queen Elizabeth II serving as patron of The Royal Horticultural Society throughout her remarkable 70-year reign. Her last visit to the show was in May 2022, just months before her passing.

Princess Kate, a staunch enthusiast of the event, notably co-designed the child-friendly “Back To Nature Garden” in 2019, reflecting her enduring passion for horticulture. However, her attendance this year remains uncertain as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy following a recent cancer diagnosis.

Notably, the event has been enjoyed by members of the extended royal family over the years, including Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who attended in 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also present that same year. Prince Harry, formerly a senior royal, supported charitable endeavors at the show, commissioning gardens to benefit his charity Sentebale in 2013 and 2015.

As preparations for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show gather momentum, the absence of Princess Kate and King Charles is keenly felt, underscoring the challenges posed by health setbacks within the royal fold.