The Princess of Wales’ victorious return, which marked her first formal public appearance since Christmas Day after receiving a cancer diagnosis, added even more significance to the moment.
Princess Catherine’s three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis joined her – as well as her spouse Prince William.
The royals gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the ceremony to witness the Royal Air Force’s breathtaking flypast. It appears that the 75-year-old King made a significant change to the royal balcony in honor of Catherine’s magnificent return to public duties.
This time, instead of standing beside Prince William as he did the previous year, King Charles did so with pride in front of a beaming Princess Catherine. The royal couple, who are undergoing cancer treatments together, looked closer than ever as they took in the massive crowds that were slowly making their way down the Mall.
Catherine, 42, looked magnificent in a structured white Jenny Packham dress for the special occasion. Her dress had long sleeves, a statement beck bow, and black piping around the neck.
In reference to her position as colonel, she accessorized with an Irish Guards Regimental brooch, a pair of pearl earrings, and a Philip Treacy hat. Charles, on the other hand, looked dapper in his red Irish Guards Guard of Honour Order tunic.
Queen Camilla, George, Charlotte, and Louis, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Lady Louise joined them on the royal balcony.
Princess Catherine didn’t officially announce her attendance at King Charles’ official birthday parade until the night before, when Kensington Palace sent out a private message. Alongside this was a lovely photo of the mother-of-three posing in the Windsor estate’s grounds beneath a tree.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” was part of her message.
“On bad days, you have to give in to your body’s need for rest because you feel weak and exhausted. On the other hand, you want to take full advantage of feeling well on your good days, when you feel stronger.
“I will continue to receive treatment for a few more months. When I’m feeling well enough, I enjoy participating in school activities, spending time doing things that make me feel good about myself, and beginning to work from home occasionally.
“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.”
