A Kate no-show would have fed the hungry rumour mill

The prospect of Trooping the Colour without royalty's star turn felt a bit like Britain's sun-free summer. Flat. But with impeccable timing, accompanied by a photograph of the Princess of Wales in "the woods" (she's not out of them yet), Kate rallied for the monarchy's flagship event. Despite her cautious words, the princess clearly felt strong enough to bank on the King’s birthday parade being a “good day” rather than a “bad” one.

- TESSA DUNLOP

And sure enough, with a hallmark mix of duty and distance we were privy to a delightful dash of Disney princess. Heavy rain and hearty cheer accompanied Kate’s carriage as it swept down the mall. Foregoing the military parade for a seat in the MajorGeneral’s Office, she then managed a glow-up moment on a briefly sunlit balcony, flanked by her immaculate brood. Storm clouds gathered, dissenters flew yellow flags, but he Firm pulled off a united front.

Although yesterday was the King’s official birthday, all eyes were on Kate. Royalty loves precision planning and the princess’s Jenny Packham white dress with black ribbon trim and regimental brooch was very much in keeping with her thoughtthrough, elegant style. She may be under the weather but standards have not slipped. Irrespective of the unseasonal temperatures, thermals were never an option.

It feels like a long time ago when Hilary Mantel derided the princess for her “perfect plastic smile”, citing the “spindles of her limbs, hand-turned and gloss varnished”. These days Kate’s smile is brave and her “spindles” doing their best. The “big C” has crept under the Windsors’ door; the ailing King opted to take the military salute in a carriage. Meanwhile, Kate didn’t confirm her appearance until Friday evening.

Kate’s absence at royal events since Christmas speaks to the physically demanding nature of her job. Looking good on command, whatever the weather, in front of an international audience time and again is not for the faint-hearted. Mantel may have pooh-poohed royalty’s “jointed doll upon which certain rags are hung” but the Princess of Wales’s considerable superpower sits in her capacity to meld diplomatic grace with exquisite sartorial style.