Kate Middleton returned to the public eye this morning.
The Princess of Wales attended Trooping The Colour in London wearing a stunning white and black dress and matching hat for her first public appearance of 2024.
Kate’s been out of the public eye for the last six months following abdominal surgery in January, and her subsequent cancer diagnosis.
Despite a difficult few months, the Princess looked well and in good spirits:
She courageously shared her health news with the public back in March, announcing her decision to stay out of the spotlight as she began a course of “preventative chemotherapy.”
After three months away, the Princess uploaded a statement uploaded to social media yesterday evening. Giving an update about her health, Kate announced that she’d attend today’s Trooping the Colour event. She also confirmed that she’s “making good progress” but that she is “not out of the woods yet”, and that she’s still receiving treatment.
She also admitted to having “good days and bad days” and that she plans to “join a few public engagements” over the summer if she continues to feel well.
Trooping the Colour, also known as The King’s Birthday Parade, is an annual military ceremony celebrating the official birthday of the British Sovereign.
This year’s parade involved 242 military working horses, 250 military musicians, 40 pipers and drummers, an extremely large dog, and more than a thousand dual-role soldiers of the British Army’s Household Division. (Below, the Irish Guards’ regimental Irish Wolfhound mascot Turlough Mor.)
The parade begins at Buckingham Palace with a procession down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade.
The Princess of Wales was joined by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Wales children looked smart in their coordinating outfits, matching their mother’s monochrome ensemble. This is the third time the children have accompanied their mother at the parade to date.
This year, Kate rode in the Glass Coach.
The Glass Coach is one of the primary ceremonial carriages of the British royal family. Created in 1881, it was purchased by The Crown for the coronation of King George V in 1911.
The Glass Coach makes appearances at various state events each year but is most famously known for its role in royal weddings. It transported Princess Margaret to her wedding in 1960 and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. It also carried Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh after their wedding in 1947.
This is the first time in 12 years that Kate has processed in the Glass Coach — I expect it was a decision made for her comfort, to shelter her from the cold and rain given her diagnosis. I believe Queen Elizabeth II rode in the coach during 2012’s Trooping the Colour for similar reasons.
During some moments of the parade, the glass windows became misty. The princes and princesses attempted to clean the glass with their hands so they could still wave to members of the public.
William didn’t join his immediate family in the carriage. As is tradition, the keen and experienced horseman took part in the procession on horseback. This year, he saddled a horse named Darby.
In his role as honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Prince wore the regiment’s distinctive red uniform and traditional bearskin cap.
He rode alongside his uncle, Prince Edward and aunt, Princess Anne.
King Charles usually rides in the parade on horseback too. This year, he decided to travel by carriage, following his own cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
He rode in the Scottish State Coach with the Queen.
Other working royals took part in the parade too. Here’s the Duchess of Edinburgh wearing a beautiful sunny yellow hue:
Her Daughter, Lady Louise in blue florals:
After the procession, the Irish Guards ‘trooped their colour’ (or carried their flag) through the ranks at Horse Guard Parade.
The practice dates back to the 17th century when the colours served as rallying points on the battlefield. The honour to ‘Troop the Colour’ rotates through the five regiments of Foot Guards.
King Charles watching the proceedings with Camilla:
Saluting guardsmen:
Kate and the Wales family watched the ceremony from a nearby window. Again, a break in tradition. I expect this was another decision made for Kate’s comfort, to shield her from the terrible weather, and so she could retire from public view to sit down if feeling unwell.
After the ceremony, the Royal Family made their way inside Buckingham Palace.
They headed up to the balcony to watch the RAF fly-past.
A view of the Red Arrows from above, presumably a drone shot:
A wide shot of the royals waving to the gathered crowds:
The Wales family on the balcony:
Giving everyone a wave:
Another look at the family:
Kate, Charles and Charlotte:
Sharing a joke:
The Prince and Princess’s team uploaded a video to the couple’s official social media accounts during the procession. The 20 second clip features Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis leaving Buckingham Palace and getting into the Glass Coach. Watch carefully and you’ll see an enthusiastic Louis hop down a set of white steps as his mother, sister and brother walk across a red carpet:
This is Kate’s 12th Trooping the Colour parade since joining the Royal Family in 2011. For both fans of the Princess and style watchers, her appearances have become a highlight of the event. Let’s take a deep-dive into her ensemble.
