THE Princess of Wales made a triumphant return to public life yesterday, waving to thousands of well-wishers at the spectacular Trooping the Colour.
Kate, 42, delighted royal fans as she waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony in what was her first public appearance since she revealed her cancer diagnosis.
While rain initially looked set to spoil the ceremony, the sun came out for the RAF flypast, which started after a 41-gun salute rang out in Green Park.
King Charles and Queen Camilla watched the flypast from the balcony, alongside Kate and William and their children George, 10, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.
The magnificent aerial display was rounded off by the Red Arrows. In a symbolic gesture from the monarch, who is also battling cancer, Kate stood next to him on the balcony. Last year, William stood next to Charles.
Kate, wearing a stunning white Jenny Packham dress and a Philip Treacy hat, leaned in to speak to her father-in-law, making him laugh.
The royals were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who smiled and waved to the crowd and stood proudly for the national anthem. Well-wishers had started arriving from 8am to get a glimpse of the royals ahead of the traditional ceremony to honour the King's official birthday.
Kate's appearance had been in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal last weekend.
She only confirmed she would be attending on Friday evening.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THIS SHOWS PEP HE NEEDS A LOT MORE UP FRONT IN LONG HAAL...
MANCHESTER CITY'S backline will receive the flak but their forwards are worthy of the blame.
MADCLAREN
Lando will come back stronger, but my old team will be kicking themselves ...they could have won it this year
It's a prison camp
Calm gardens, privacy pods and different way to do bird
Nicola: I love WAG drama
Hopes for Coleen on I'm A Celeb
TWO MORE WOMEN SET TO SUE GLITTER
Pop paedo 'depressed\" as legal claims mount
Olympic dispirit
Fortnums shubs Paralympians at party for Team GB's success
CHEAP THRILLS
Forming orderly queue is better than sex, says poll
Ruth lawyers build timeline on Eamonn's new romance
'Forensic' study for divorce talks
We'd be a perfect match if you were still Frank
TRANSGENDER Kellie Maloney ended a potential romance when the friend said they would be a perfect match... if she was still Frank.
EU vows to back Kyiv as Trump fears surge
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell promised Ukraine ongoing support yesterday on a visit to Kyiv, as Russia launched 50 drone attacks.