The Princess of Wales and King Charles III were reunited on the Buckingham Palace balcony today for the first time since they both began cancer treatment.
Kate joined members of the Royal Family to watch a spectacular flypast by the RAF as she made a triumphant return to public life at Trooping the Colour.
And in a sweet gesture from the monarch, Kate stood next to Charles – a change from last year’s arrangement when her husband Prince William was next to him.
The flypast began as senior royals came out on to the balcony – with Charles and Camilla followed by Kate and William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis. Kate then leant over to speak to Charles, who laughed at something she said.
They were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, with the family smiling and waving to crowds before standing proudly as the national anthem was played.
Kate’s appearance had been in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal last weekend, with confirmation that she would attend only given at 6pm yesterday.
But with the King also suffering from cancer, today’s spectacle of military pomp and pageantry became a symbolic statement by the monarchy after much uncertainty.
Scotland Yard had a ‘substantial’ policing operation in place, with anti-monarchy group Republic allowed to protest but banned from using amplified sound.
Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers were deployed on the ceremonial route to ensure the safety and security of those watching, with tens of thousands gathered.
