CROWDS erupted this afternoon as Princess Kate stepped onto the balcony with Wills and her kids at her side.

Adoring fans cheered as the Royals walked out at Buckingham Palace for the King’s birthday, in Kate’s first public appearance since Christmas.

Crowds erupted today as the Royals stepped onto the balcony this afternoon

Princess Kate beamed as she stood alongside her children, Wills, the King and Queen Camilla

Kate was snapped beaming in the Glass CoachCredit: Getty

The rain started to pour as the day went onCredit: Rex

Fans had to try to shelter during downpours as they tried to get a glimpse of the royalsCredit: PA
The day had been plagued by rain but downpours couldn’t dampen Kate’s shine today as she beamed alongside Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis.

The Princess joked and laughed throughout the morning with her family as adoring crowds watched on.

The Royal arrived at Trooping the Colour in a car this morning alongside Wills.

Kate waved to the crowds who lined the Mall to catch a glimpse of her and other Royals for the King’s birthday.
Advertisement

They rode in the Glass Coach to Horse Guards parade, before heading back to Buckingham Palace.

Royal lovers watched on as Kate and her children chatted away sweetly.

But, they had to don their raincoats and pop up their umbrellas as the rain poured down.

Kate and her children could be seen wiping the windows of the carriage clear as it rolled back along the Mall in the pouring rain.
Advertisement

What is Trooping the Colour?

Trooping the Colour or ‘The King’s Birthday Parade’ is a military ceremony which dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign’s official birthday.

The honour to Troop their Colour rotates through the five regiments of Foot Guards, and this year it lies with Number 9 Company Irish Guards. The Irish Guards were raised by Queen Victoria in 1900 and have provided almost 125 years of service to the nation.

This year marks the second Trooping the Colour of His Majesty’s reign. The King attended his first Trooping the Colour in 1951, aged three, riding in a carriage with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and aunt, Princess Margaret. The King first rode in the parade as Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 1975.

A lip reader revealed what Prince George had been saying to his mum while they were inside the carriage this morning.

Gaby Lane told The Sun Kate and William’s eldest “looked so happy” as the family waved and smiled at fans during the procession.

It was the first Royal event since Christmas for the Princess – and she had a smile ear-to-ear.

Kate could be seen ushering her children around – and chatting to Prince Louis as peeked out a window.
Advertisement

Princess Kate to return for the Trooping of the Colour
Fans also spotted the adorable moment Charlotte playfully told her brother Louis to “stop” as he danced along to music.

The lovable young royal’s excitement got the better of him, and he was snapped bopping to a beat.

But, his older sister was quick to remind him it was not the time for dance.

Fans had been gathering at the Mall all morning, hoping to see the Princess.
Advertisement

Royal fans share their joy at seeing Kate

By Ryan Merrifield

ROYAL fans have shared their joy at seeing Princess Kate today.

Isobel Parker, 24, therapist, from Boston, US. Travelled from Amsterdam this morning and landed around 8.30am at Heathrow then raced over to the Mall.

She told The Sun: “I changed my flight a little bit earlier to be here. I just saw that it’s happening and Kate’s coming. I really admire the way she’s handling the treatment and maintaining her privacy.

2Her respect her maintaining her poise and elegance. It’s important that she’s able to do these events, as long as she’s well.”

“I landed about an hour and a half ago and dashed here. I’m very tired but London is lovely.”

And that they did – Kate, 42, looked stunning dressed in white as she smiled to crowds from the car, then The Glass Coach.

She could be seen laughing and chatting away to her family as they waved and smiled at adoring fans.

The family made their way along the Mall in The Glass Coach, closely following behind the King and Queen Camilla.

The King appeared regal as he gave a royal salute in his first Trooping since his cancer diagnosis.
Advertisement

Princess Kate was snapped alongside her youngsters at Trooping the ColourCredit: Rex

Prince Louis rode in the carriage with his mumCredit: Rex

Kate was snapped beaming as she chatted to her youngsterCredit: Pixel8000

She and Prince Louis were snapped peeking out a windowCredit: George Cracknell Wright
Advertisement

The Princess has been snapped joking with her youngstersCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
Princess Anne also held a starring role today – which had a touching link to her brother.

The Princess Royal appeared to have trouble with her horse at one point, but managed to keep it under control.

Prince William, who looked dapper in his red Irish Guards uniform, proudly donning medals on his chest, beamed at crowds, too.
Advertisement

It is the first time the Princess has been seen at a Royal event since Christmas Day.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte waved to crowdsCredit: Getty

The King gave his first royal salute since his cancer diagnosisCredit: Rex

She, Wills and their youngsters could be seen chatting away before waving to crowds along the MallCredit: Reuters
Advertisement

The Princess ushered her children inside the PalaceCredit: Rex
She and Wills sat either side of Prince George as their car made its way into Buckingham Palace this morning.

Thousands of fans started lining the streets this morning to catch a glimpse of her this morning.

Well-wishers held Union Jacks high as they squished together along the Mall – donning crowns and fascinators atop their heads.
Advertisement

The streets were coloured red, white and blue, as fans waited patiently to see the Princess of Wales.

The Princess was all smilesCredit: i-Images

Camilla beamed as she waved at crowdsCredit: Goff
More than 30 aircraft will take to the skies today as part of the celebrations – with the RAF Red Arrows making a touching tribute to a fallen officer.
Advertisement

Kate announced on Friday she would step back into the public eye for the Monarch’s birthday celebrations after months of undergoing cancer treatment.

The brave Royal said she would ride in a carriage with her children.

She will also watch the parade before standing with the King, Heir and other royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have also arrived at the big dayCredit: Reuters
Advertisement

Princess Anne held an important role todayCredit: Rex

This is the first royal engagement Kate has attended in six monthsCredit: Getty

The King and Camilla beamed at crowdsCredit: Goff
And Royal fans had already started lining the streets this morning with Union Jacks in hand.
Advertisement

The Mall was starting to pack out, as security scoured the area.

Cardboard cutouts of Kate and the King were held high by well-wishers – some of whom were dressed to the nines.

Some fans proudly wore plastic crowns atop their heads, while others dressed in blue, red and white.

Princess Charlotte and Prince George sat alongside each other in the Glass CoachCredit: ©Karwai Tang
Advertisement

Kate this morning arrived at Trooping the Color – with Wills at her sideCredit: George Cracknell Wright

The Royals arrived with their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess CharlotteCredit: AFP

Members of the Irish Guards have started marching along The MallCredit: PA
Many donned raincoats and held umbrellas as they braved for a damp day.
Advertisement

Jane Ing said she had travelled from Yorkshire with her husband and a pal to watch the procession through the Mall.

The 61-year-old said: “The ceremony is part of our heritage.

“It’s an iconic parade and exhibition of our royal family that we should be proud about and come to support.”

Fans had already started lining the streets to catch a glimpse of Princess Kate todayCredit: Rex
Advertisement

Members of the Irish Guards march along The Mall towards Horse Guards ParadeCredit: PA

This is the first time Kate has been snapped at a Royal engagement since ChristmasCredit: LNP

Prince Louis was snapped peeking out the window of the carCredit: Getty
Jane added it was “lovely” that Princess Kate would be there.
Advertisement

Proud husband Wills said yesterday that he was “pleased” Kate was returning to work and the projects that “are important to her”.

A spokesman for the Heir said: “The Prince is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her.

“He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties.”

What is The Glass Coach?

The Glass Coach The coach was built in 1881 and purchased for the Coronation of George V in 1911. The Glass Coach has been used most famously at many royal weddings. It carried Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, in 1947 to Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace on her wedding day. In 2012, it was also used to convey Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to and from Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour. When not in use, the coach is normally on public display in the Royal Mews.

Charles was also “delighted” that his daughter-in-law will make her return on his big day.
Advertisement

The Monarch said: “His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day.”

The mum-of-three had not been seen with the Royal Family since Christmas Day last year at Sandringham.

She was taken into hospital for planned abdominal surgery in January and spent 13 nights at the London Clinic before continuing her recovery at home with her family.

The Mall has been coloured red, white and black by Union JacksCredit: Getty
Advertisement

Fans had donned their raincoats and held umbrellas, prepared for a damp dayCredit: AP

Well-wishers were waiting patientlyCredit: PA

Fans held a cardboard cutout of King Charles at Trooping the ColourCredit: PA
Days later, Kate bravely released a video revealing “tests after the operation found cancer had been present” and that she had started preventative cancer treatment.
Advertisement

The Princess said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” – but vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.

Ahead of Trooping the Colour today, she said: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months.

“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.

The Royal Standard flag is flying above Buckingham PalaceCredit: AP
Advertisement

Fans held a cutout of Princess Kate, tooCredit: AFP

Security worked its way up and down The Mall this morningCredit: LNP

The royal on Friday announced she will be making a comeback today
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.
Advertisement

“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to
your body resting.

“But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”

Kate also told how her treatment is “ongoing and will be for a few more months” as she revealed she is “not out of the woods yet”.

Arthur Edwards

This beautiful photograph of Kate will reassure millions of people around the world.

She’s very honest about her ongoing cancer treatment but this picture makes it clear she’s winning her battle.

She looks tremendous and almost back to her normal self after six months away.

Her absolute honesty about “good days and bad days” will resonate with anyone fighting cancer.

She makes it clear she’s “not out of the woods” but wants to return to public engagements starting today at Trooping the Colour.

Her sense of duty is just inspirational.

She’s a true fighter and a credit to the Royal Family and her country.

It will be wonderful to see her on the balcony later today alongside her beloved family.

But she told how it is a “joy” for her to still engage with school life and spend time “on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home”.
Advertisement

She added: “I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal.

“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was “wonderful wonderful news” that Princess Kate would be attending the Trooping of the Colour.

Speaking in Italy he said her statement was “brave, honest and I am sure it will bring an enormous amount of comfort” to many others “grappling” with similar illness.

Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery

JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery

JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery

JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside

JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week

JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital

FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health

MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate

Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo

Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William

Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor

Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport

Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior

Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis

April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos

June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”

June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade