Kate Middleton had not been seen in public since Christmas Day (Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
The Princess of Wales appeared to rely on one particular member of the Royal Family for support earlier today while making her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Kate Middleton was present this afternoon for Trooping the Colour, a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade to celebrate the king’s birthday.
The Princess hadn’t been seen in public since Christmas Day, following a trip to hospital for planned abdominal surgery and later her shock announcement that she is undergoing cancer treatment.
Judi James, a body language expert, has provided some invaluable insights into Kate’s apparent state of mind during the ceremony today.
She said: ‘The rain and even Kate’s hat brim, which was tilted window-side, seemed to both do their best to limit the view of her one-step-at-a-time return to royal appearances and at one point Kate was having to wipe the mist off the inside of the carriage windows with her bare hand to ensure some subtle glimpses of her much-missed smile were visible.
‘By the time Kate was standing out on the balcony and being on the receiving end of some very emphatic and telling rituals of mutual support from her father-in-law Charles, who singled her out for some animated and laughter-filled chats that appeared to energise them both during this important appearance, she had relaxed enough to treat fans to one of her playful, dimpled, delight-filled smiles.’
During the day she was surrounded by other members of the family, with her husband the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, on horseback, as were the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
Princess Charlotte was seen to provide her mother with some much-needed support during the ceremony this afternoon (Picture: Twitter)
Ms James went on: ‘Kate’s support system also included another key family member though.
‘Charlotte seemed happy to shoulder some of her mother’s duties here, showing a determination and an eye for duty as she did so.
‘When Kate began cleaning the carriage windows it was Charlotte taking over furiously, wiping them with her own bare hand.
‘Charlotte was the one waving with energy and enthusiasm at the crowds and it was Charlotte who now seems capable of the kind of constant royal smile that her mother is famous for.’
The Princess of Wales’s daughter also appears to have taken a hand in ensuring her siblings behaved themselves during the ceremony today.
The Princess has recently said she is ‘making good progress’ with her treatment (Picture: Reuters)
Ms James said: ‘On the balcony it was Charlotte nudging Louis quite firmly with one arm to tell him to drop his hands to his sides during the anthem and she also told him off for dancing about to the band during the ceremony.
‘She was rewarded with some very loving and affectionate hair-strokes from Kate, who was still very much on mummy duty as well as appearing as a royal princess.’
Garrison Sergeant Major Stokes who helped plan Trooping praised Kate, he said: ‘I think it’s such a nice thing for the Princess of Wales to come and attend today.
‘It is probably the only day we see the entire royal family together in public and I think the royal family really appreciate the day as well – it’s the closest thing we get in the United Kingdom to a national day, so all of that makes it incredibly special.’
Kate and members of the royal family were cheered when they were first spotted in The Mall on their way to Trooping.
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