Princess Kate makes public return for King Charles III's birthday amid cancer treatments

Princess Kate is back after five months away from public life amid her cancer diagnosis.

The Princess of Wales returned to public life, riding in a carriage with her three children, for Trooping the Colour on Saturday. The event is a ceremonial celebration and military parade commemorating the reigning British monarch's birthday, although King Charles III's birthdate falls on Nov. 14.

Kate, who turned heads in a chic white fitted dress with an oversized white and black ribbon, her hair swept up, with a matching hat, watched the ceremony from a window overlooking the parade ground. She accessorized with white heels, pearl earrings and brooch, and a structured black clutch. She shared moments from the event with her three children: Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 9; and Prince Louis, 6.

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When she returned to the carriage at the end, the princess smiled and waved at the welcoming crowds.

Princess Kate smiles inside the Glass State Coach on her way to Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour, an event celebrating King Charles' birthday, in London on June 15, 2024. It was her first public appearance since she revealed her cancer diagnosis.

On Friday, Kensington Palace surprised royal onlookers with news of Princess Kate's return in a press release shared with USA TODAY, along with a new photo of Kate.

The release accompanied an Instagram photo of Princess Kate, standing underneath a tree in a shaded area, posted to the official Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account.

Kate, 42, has undergone preventative chemotherapy since her cancer announcement in March and in the Friday statement, she provided an update on her health — and clarified this appearance is not a full return to work, writing that she is "starting to do a little work from home."

Princess Kate and her son, Prince Louis, during Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade on June 15, 2024 in London. Crowds lining the streets waved and cheered as the carriage went past.

"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," she wrote.

In a personal written message on Friday, she said she was making good progress but was "not out of the woods". She said she was looking forward to attending Saturday's parade and hoped to join a few public engagements over the summer.

Kate spent two weeks in hospital in January after she underwent major abdominal surgery, and announced in a March video message that tests confirmed she had been diagnosed with cancer after weeks of tabloid speculation and online conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.

British royals show united front amid two cancer diagnoses at Trooping the Color

The British Royal Family showcased a united front for the world as King Charles III and Queen Camilla waved to supporters on the balcony with their grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis close by as well as their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate.

Britain's Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Kate, Princess Charlotte, King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the King's birthday parade "Trooping the Colour" in London on June 15, 2024.

The balcony moment also marked the first time Princess Kate and the king, who was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, have appeared in public together since sharing their health journeys with the public.

Parade attendees call Princess Kate's public royal return 'fabulous'

Before the parade, onlookers said they were looking forward to seeing the princess.

"I know it's the king's birthday, but all eyes will be on Kate because we haven't seen her for a while," said John Loughrey, who was wearing a T-shirt with pictures of Kate on it.

Another onlooker, Anne Gaely, who was carrying a life-size cardboard cutout of the princess, said she was relieved that Kate would be there in the flesh.

"We've all been very, very worried and uneasy about it, but now this is going to be joyful, euphoric, and fabulous," she said.

Contributing: David Milliken, Reuters with additional reporting by Marissa Davison, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Princess Kate makes public return for King Charles III's birthday amid cancer treatments