A royal expert has revealed the moment she knew the Trooping the Colour parade was the “perfect moment” for Princess Catherine to return to public eye amid her cancer battle.
Royal Reporter Sarah Hewson says Princess Catherine’s public appearance was a “sight for sore eyes”.
“A fantastic surprise to see the Princess of Wales out in public for the first time since Christmas Day,” she said.
“It was a very personal statement … she is not out of the woods yet but this certainly looked like a good day.”
Kate attended the annual parade in honour of King Charles’ birthday in London last Saturday in what was her first public engagement since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
She was all smiles as she rode in a carriage with her three kids – Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George – before greeting the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The Princess was also seen flashing a grin as she gazed at her husband Prince William on the balcony, while the royal family waved to thousands of onlooking Britons.
Princess Catherine made her big return to the public eye at Trooping the Colour in London last weekend. Picture: James Manning/PA via AP
Asked if Trooping the Colour was the right scenario for Kate to step back in the spotlight, Hello Magazine’s royal editor Emily Nash thought in many ways it was “the perfect moment”.
Ms Nash said while it was “surprising” to see the Princess of Wales riding in the carriage during the lengthy parade, “it all made sense” when she saw the royal with her children.
“An appearance on the balcony would have been an easy win really for her and for the palace to show that she was OK, part of the family, but it wouldn’t have put too much pressure on her,” Ms Nash told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show.
“So I think, you know, it was surprising to see quite how much she participated in the carriage processions because they’re not particularly enjoyable experiences by all accounts.
“And I think seeing her with her children made it all become clear.”
Ms Nash noted Kate had made reference to her young family when revealing her shock cancer diagnosis in March.
“We’ve heard this from the very start, the way that she made her announcement of the cancer diagnosis was all focused around her children and their wellbeing,” Ms Nash said.
“Once you saw her in the carriage with them, and then watching from the Major General’s office, and again on the balcony, it all made sense.
“In many ways this (Trooping the Colour) was really the perfect moment for her to reappear because she was at the heart of the family.”
At the time of announcing her cancer diagnosis, Princess Catherine said the health news had come as a “huge shock” to her and her husband.
“It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that’s appropriate for them and to reassure them that I’m going to be OK,” the Princess said at the time.
“As I’ve said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits.”
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Princess Catherine stunned in a black and white outfit, paired with a wide-brim hat with her hair tied back in a bun as she made her public return for the King’s birthday parade last week.
Kate’s appearance followed months of speculation on whether she would actually attend the event, and when she may feel well enough to officially return to royal duties.
Kensington Palace has previously said the 42-year-old would only step back into royal engagements when she is given the green light from her medical team.