The Mall, London
CNN
—
Catherine, Princess of Wales, joined other royals on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on the monarch’s official birthday, making her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.
The princess, also known as Kate, accompanied her three children in a state carriage to the Horse Guards Parade from Buckingham Palace to watch the celebration, known as Trooping the Colour. He can be seen wearing the regimental brooch of the Irish Guards, a nod to his role as their honorary colonel.
The family then watched the events from a vantage point, while Kate’s husband William, Prince of Wales rode in on horseback.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were also escorted from Buckingham Palace in a carriage, bringing cheers from packed crowds as they slowly made their way down The Mall. The King participated from a carriage rather than a horse this year due to his own cancer diagnosis.
People of all ages gathered all over the mall for this event. Some spectators wear Union Jack bucket hats and charms, while others wave flags. Some sang the national anthem.
Kate made her first public appearance since Christmas Day – just weeks before her cancer diagnosis.
Kate gave an update on her health on Friday, saying she was making “good progress” in her recovery. But she said her treatment will continue for a few more months and is “not out of the woods yet.”
Despite being treated for cancer, King Charles III participates.
Trooping the Color is a spectacular military spectacle with 1,400 officers and soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses marching through the streets of London from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade.
The event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – has been a tradition marking the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. However, Charles’ actual birthday is in November.
Since the 18th century, Britain’s kings and queens have doubled down on their celebrations, holding a public celebration — the official birthday — and a more private event on the actual date.
The tradition is believed to have started in 1748 with the partisan King George II. Like Charles III, George was born in November, when British weather is often less than ideal.
Proving that point, the weather turned downward as the events drew to a close. People waiting for the King to return to the palace were swept away by heavy rain and strong winds. Some spectators struggled to hold their umbrellas in place.
Following the parade, the procession returned to the palace, where the sovereign and members of the family gathered on the famous balcony, greeting a raucous crowd of well-wishers below.
Get our free Royal Newsletter
- CNN’s Royal News is the weekly news that brings you the inside track on the Royal Family, what they do in public and what goes on behind the palace walls.
- Register here.
Kate’s appearance was a big topic of discussion among the audience, who chatted and warmed their hands in pots of tea. “We are very excited,” Reine Geldenhuys, 41, told CNN.
“We hope to walk up to the balcony and see her beautiful face again… We don’t see her in public, so we’re here for her,” he added.
Procedures have been modified this year as Charles, 75, continues treatment for an unspecified cancer.
Doctors were encouraged by his progress, allowing him to resume public-facing duties in April, but each engagement he undertakes is reviewed and modified where appropriate.
For Saturday’s events, he conducted a review of the troops as he sat in the Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla.
Three of the British Army’s horses that crashed in London in April are back on duty and taking part in this weekend’s birthday parade. The remaining two horses are “enjoying summer vacation at Chilterns” and will return to service in due course, according to the Army.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
