John Phillips/Getty Prince William arrived on horseback at this year's Trooping the Colour celebration in honor of his father, King Charles The Prince of Wales' appearance comes after he admitted the last year had been a difficult one for him after both the King and Kate Middleton were diagnosed with cancer "It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life," he previously said Prince Williamis putting on a brave display after a difficult year. The royal, 42, appeared on horseback at this year's Trooping the Color, the annual celebration honoring his father,King Charles, who turns 77 this November. The Prince of Wales was one of three members of the royal family who rode on horseback during the London parade. He was joined by his auntPrincess Anneand his unclePrince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. Although King Charles also rode on horseback at Trooping the Colour in previous years, including hisfirst as monarchin 2023, the King took part in this year's eventseated in a horse-drawn carriagealongsideQueen Camilla. Charles also rode in a coach last year, just months after his cancer diagnosis and treatment, which is ongoing, were revealed.Queen Elizabethswitched from participating in the event on horseback to riding in a carriage in 1987 at age 60. As the honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards, William sported thered uniform with a leek symbol on the necklinepaired with a traditional bearskin cap adorned with the regiment's white and green plume. The prince is attending the celebration with his wife,Kate Middleton, and their three children,Prince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 10, andPrince Louis, 7. They took part in the parade by riding together in a horse-drawn carriage. John Phillips/Getty The Prince of Wales candidly opened up about the difficulties his family faced since last year's Trooping the Colour in a November 2024 interview. Speaking on the last day of his four-day visit to Cape Town, South Africa, the royal said he'd been through a"brutal" yearafter both the King and Kate were diagnosed with cancer. "It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life," Prince William said at the time. Referring to the role he took on as Prince of Wales after the death of his grandmotherQueen Elizabethon Sept. 8, 2022, he added, "So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult." BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty The prince said he was "proud" of his wife and his father "for handling the things that they have done," adding, "But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal." Princess Kate announced that she wasin remissionin January and began to resume royal duties after staying out of the public eye for much of 2024 while undergoing cancer treatment. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty The King has continued to receive treatment, and a senior royal aidetold PEOPLEin May that he was managing his diagnosis well. "Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him," the aide said. "As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. That's exactly what he is doing." Read the original article onPeople
