PRINCESS Kate made her long-awaited return today, appearing in public for the first time since her cancer diagnosis.
And while her appearance was highly anticipated by many, the Princess of Wales was eager to deflect attention away from her according to body language expert Judi James.
She explained that Kate, 42, was keen to ensure that her father-in-law remained the focus during Trooping the Colour.
Judi explains: “In a tradition created by her husband’s granny, Kate’s body language here showed the world what being a royal is all about: elegant, calm and stoic with not one smallest jot of self-pity or drama.
“Kate’s non-verbal messages seem to signal a smiling determination to reassure the public and her own children and to get on with the job.
“She made it clear in her written message that this is a step towards a return, not the start of it but even from the glimpses of her in the carriage her upright back and her signature smile showed a desire to show resilience and poise.”
Duty & family mean everything to Kate
By ARTHUR EDWARDS, Sun Royal Photographer
THE Royals were one big happy family on the Buckingham Palace balcony as the Princess of Wales made an emotional one-off appearance.
This was a brave return to public life for Catherine, who has valiantly battled cancer for the last three months.
She did not have to be at Trooping the Colour and no one would have blamed her for staying away.
But she still chose to attend.
It is a measure of just how much her duty and family mean to her.
I have not seen the Princess of Wales in person since her last public engagement on Christmas Day, more than six months ago.
Yesterday she looked very well and, crucially, very healthy too.
While the photo released on Friday by Kensington Palace was a solemn snap, yesterday Catherine beamed with joy – her smile will undoubtedly warm the nation’s heart.
Accompanied by William, who has soldiered on alone while supporting his sick wife, and her adorable children, the whole group looked relaxed and united throughout one of the most important days of the year for the Royal Family.
It was also lovely to see Catherine exchanging words with her father-in-law King Charles.
Both of them battled hard to return to their duties and even through a long lens you can tell they have genuine warmth for each other.
The only downside was the classically British weather.
It was cold.
It was wet.
My jacket and my camera were soaked.
Next Thursday will be the longest day of the year but the driving rain made me feel like I was in the middle of January.
Yet the moment the Princess emerged to wave and smile, it made bearing the downpour worthwhile.
There were a lot of smart outfits on show – it was a military parade after all – but the Princess of Wales’ stunning white dress was a cut above everyone else’s.
Almost every camera there was fixed on her and with exceptional taste she picked out a dress that could be seen down The Mall by thousands of well-wishers.
This was a remarkable return by a remarkable woman and I’m sure it would’ve meant the world to have her family by her side.
So it’s no surprise that she didn’t stop smiling throughout.
And Judi says that Kate’s outfit choice may have been a deliberate attempt to draw attention away from herself.
“There was a hint of discretion or maybe a desire to not upstage in the way Kate’s hat brim was tilted to partially hide her face in the carriage but there were some turning to smile and some smiling conversations with her three children,” she adds.
“Her wave to the crown involved closed rather than spread fingers and it was a quick, subtle movement of acknowledgement, again suggesting a desire to avoid stealing the attention on the celebration of the King’s birthday.”
It is the first time the Princess has been seen at a Royal event since Christmas Day.
The Princess of Wales, 42, announced on Friday she would be making a comeback for the Monarch’s birthday celebrations after undergoing cancer treatment.
The Princess will also watch the parade before standing tall with the King, Heir and other royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Doting husband Wills said yesterday that he is “pleased” Kate is returning to work and the projects that “are important to her”.
A spokesman for Wills said: “The Prince is pleased to see the Princess starting to engage with the work and projects that are important to her.
Prince Louis' comic relief
Judi adds: “Louis probably performed what should be one of the most telling ‘announcement’ messages of the family though. Standing in front of his mother and beside his sister he informed a concerned nation that they are a tension and stress-free group.
“Louis posed with his hands behind his back in the classic, ‘best behaviour’ stance of Prince Philip his great-grandad but like Philip he couldn’t help but let his more playful side show.
“A huge, exaggerated ‘roar’ yawn was his first signal but then he began to do a little jig to the music, making Kate laugh and Charlotte offer what looked like a telling-off.
“If Louis is feeling happy and comfortable enough to be his usual playful self then we can probably also relax and enjoy these first glimpses of Kate.”
“He will continue to focus his time on supporting his wife and children, while continuing to undertake his public duties.”
Charles was also “delighted” that his daughter-in-law will make her return on his big day.
The Monarch said: “His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow’s events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day.”
The mum-of-three has not been seen with the Royal Family since Christmas Day last year at Sandringham.
She was taken into hospital for planned abdominal surgery in January and spent 13 nights at the London Clinic before continuing her recovery at home with her family.
Days later, Kate bravely released a video revealing “tests after the operation found cancer had been present” and that she had started preventative cancer treatment.
The Princess said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” – but vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.
Ahead of Trooping the Colour today, she said: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months.
“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour or ‘The King’s Birthday Parade’ is a military ceremony which dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign’s official birthday.
The honour to Troop their Colour rotates through the five regiments of Foot Guards, and this year it lies with Number 9 Company Irish Guards. The Irish Guards were raised by Queen Victoria in 1900 and have provided almost 125 years of service to the nation.
This year marks the second Trooping the Colour of His Majesty’s reign. The King attended his first Trooping the Colour in 1951, aged three, riding in a carriage with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and aunt, Princess Margaret. The King first rode in the parade as Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 1975
“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.
“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting.
“But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
