SUPER TROOPERS

Thousands brave wild weather to see family together again

- PATRICK HILL, SERENA RICHARDS and SASKIA ROWLANDS

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.