Five key moments from Kate's return to public appearances

Kate had not been otherwise seen in public since Christmas Day last year (Picture: Shutterstock)

The Princess of Wales’ appearance today at Trooping the Colour marks the first time she has returned to public duties since her diagnosis last year.

Kate has been receiving treatment after going in for planned abdominal surgery in January, which she later revealed in a shock announcement had been for cancer.

The last time she was seen in public was Christmas Day, and her disappearance prompted widespread speculation and the rapid spread of conspiracy theories online.

In a recent statement on her condition, she said: ‘I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.

‘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.’

Her improved health today allowed her to attend the public ceremony marking the birthday of King Charles, where she was accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.

Kate first appears in the car

The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II (Picture: AFP)

The Princess of Wales was first seen this morning arriving in a car at Buckingham Palace.

She wore a black and white outfit, and was sat in the vehicle alongside her children and the Prince of Wales.

King Charles III, who is also currently receiving treatment following his own cancer diagnosis, is said to have been ‘delighted’ his daughter in law was able to attend the event today.

Kate waves from the carriage with her children

The event is held to mark the birthday of the reigning sovereign (Picture: Reuters)

Kate was greeted by a sea of faces as she and her children arrived at Horses Guards Parade in a carriage earlier this morning.

They were escorted by troops from the Household Cavalry’s Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

Among the horses was also Tennyson, one of the five horses who’d been seen running injured through London after being spooked by the sounds from a nearby construction yard earlier this year.

Kate shares a sweet moment with Louis on the balcony

The Princess observed much of the early ceremony from indoors

Later in the morning, Princess Kate and Prince Louis were spotted enjoying the event from one of the balconies at Buckingham Palace.

Trooping the Colour is as much a social as ceremonial occasion, and the stands below were filled with roughly 8,000 spouses, partners and parents of the officers on parade.

In total, the event featured more than 1,250 soldiers and hundreds of other guardsmen, in turn inspected by the King from his carriage, where he was sat with wife Camilla.

Kate and Charlotte wipe away windows to wave at crowds

Charlotte is understood to have been very supportive during her mother’s return to public duties (Picture: BBC)

As the afternoon drew on, the weather seemed to conspire against the event, with thunder and lightning heard as it began to ran across Central London.

Undeterred by the downpour, Kate and her daughter Charlotte were seen to wipe back the fog from their windows in order to wave at the crowds as they passed by.

Charlotte is understood to have been exceptionally supportive of her mother, even encouraging her notoriously cheeky younger brother Louis to behave himself.

Kate triumphantly appears on balcony for fly past

Kate has recently said she is ‘making good progress’ with her treatment, but like anyone undergoing chemotherapy, has ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’ (Picture: AP)

Having observed much of the day’s events from indoors, the Princess of Wales finally took to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Red Arrows fly past.

She accompanied the King and Queen, as well as her husband William and their three children.

They were in turn joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Spectator Joseph Afrane, 60, said: ‘It was fantastic when I heard it on the news yesterday [that Kate would be attending].

‘I though, “God, I thank you for bringing Kate back,” because she’s very hardworking.

‘I mean it shows that she’s very, very dedicated to the country, and then to the monarch and then to the other royals, you know.

‘So, it’s good. It was great news. I saw her. She waved to me. She gave me a big wave.’

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