The Princess of Wales has made her first public appearance since revealing her cancer diagnosis with a triumphant and emotional return at Trooping the Colour today.

Kate, 42, beamed as she waved to the huge crowds from as she and her three proud children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis enjoyed a carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to watch the military spectacle. She wore a beautiful white and navy trimmed dress by Jenny Packham complete with a wide brimmed Philip Treacy hat and a glowing Irish Guards brooch.

The crowds cheered as Kate waved from the glass coach that followed the carriage carrying King Charles and Queen Camilla, also wearing a Philip Treacy hat and an Anna Valentine dress, to Horse Guards Parade. Other royals in carriages included the Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor and the Duke of Kent. Riding on horseback were Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

Kate with her three children ( 
Image:

Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
After arriving at Horse Guards, Kate and the children watched the military spectacle from a building overlooking the parade ground. Earlier she arrived at Buckingham Palace ahead of the ceremony in car with her husband Prince William and their three children. It was announced yesterday that Kate would be attending the celebration of the King’s official birthday with her family.

In a personal message, Kate said she has “good days and bad days” amid her preventative chemotherapy treatment. A beautiful new photograph, taken by celebrity and royal photographer Matt Porteous, was shared with her message.

The Princess added that she “hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer” as she continues treatment for cancer “for a few months”. It is understood Kate wanted to take part in Trooping to show support to her children, her family and her love for the King, who is also having cancer treatment.

She said in a personal message: “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. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.

The crowd cheered as Kate appeared ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Kate arrives at Horse Guards Parade with her children ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
“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. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.

“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.”

Kate with her three children watch the military parade ( 
Image:

BBC)DON’T MISS

Prior to her announcement royal sources confirmed the princess had personally spoken to the King – who is also undergoing cancer treatment after being diagnosed with the disease in February – and informed him of her wish to join him and the royal family for the parade. A spokesperson for the King said His Majesty was “delighted” by the news of her attendance.

Today marks Kate’s first major public appearance since Christmas Day last year when she walked to church with the rest of the Royal Family in Sandringham. In January, it was revealed she had undergone major abdominal surgery and then in March, in an emotional message to the world, she announced she had received a cancer diagnosis and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

The King and Queen on their way to Horse Guards Parade ( 
Image:
PA)
Kate’s diary has been cleared entirely for this year while she undergoes treatment. The Princess did not attend the Colonel’s Review on June 8 – the traditional rehearsal for the birthday parade. Kate, who is the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, had written to them to apologise for missing it and wishing them luck.

Kate’s recovery has meant that she has not been out on public duties until today – however, her husband Prince William has been doing some engagements. And it has been during these front-facing duties that the Prince of Wales has been able to offer some positive updates about his wife before today.

On an outing in Newcastle in April when he visited a suicide prevention charity, he met with several wellwishers. One of them was Julie Cain, 60, who asked the heir to the throne: “Do you mind if I ask how your wife and children are?” And William replied: “All doing well, thank you. Yes, we’re doing well.”

The Duchess of Edinburgh in a carriage with the Duke of Kent and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor ( 
Image:
PA)

Meanwhile, last week, William gave a further update while at the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in Portsmouth alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla, saying she would have ‘loved’ to have joined him. Footage posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, showed William speaking to a veteran, in which he appeared to say “she is” when asked if Kate was “getting any better”.

The prince added: “She’d love to be here today.” He told the veteran about how Kate’s grandmother worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War and was one of a group of women who “never spoke about anything until the very end”, adding: “It was all very secret.”