KATE Middleton and Prince William filled hearts with a moving moment of strength and love at Trooping The Colour on Saturday.
Brits were thrilled to see the Princess of Wales at the King’s birthday celebration– her first public appearance since Christmas Day – and a royal photographer claims a single, powerful moment proves what a strong unit the couple really are.
James Whatling has been capturing photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales for many years.
He braved the rain and joined the British public on Saturday, June 15 to celebrate the King’s official birthday at Buckingham Palace.
As military officers, men and horses marched towards Horse Guards Parade, James captured an incredibly powerful moment as William and Kate stepped out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
He recalled his feelings when he saw the princess on Hello!’s A Right Royal Podcast: “There was definitely a buzz [among the public]. It was great to see [Kate] looking so well, like she’d never been away.”
Speaking of his favourite moment, he said: “It was the look between William and Kate. It wasn’t fleeting. It goes from a little look, and then Kate’s smile broadens. It’s lovely, and it’s very much a welcome back.
“It doesn’t matter about the privilege. Everything is stripped back when someone is unwell. Everything is irrelevant. They’re obviously a very strong unit.”
Kate’s attendance was thought to be a very last minute decision by the Royal Family, and dependent on how well the princess was on the day.
As we know from Kate’s statement to the public, she has had good days and bad days during her cancer treatment, and the public were just thrilled to see her back.
James said: “She looked absolutely as stunning as ever. She takes these things in her stride.
“With this gap we didn’t know how unwell she was so it was nice to go back to normal and to see her again.
“Her juxtaposition right next to the King was on purpose. They were exchanging little glances and words. Maybe some encouragement – nobody knows.”
Trooping The Colour marked Kate’s first public appearance since the Christmas Day service at Sandringham last year.
Over the last six months, the princess has endured tough cancer treatment, remaining absent from royal duties while she focuses on her health with William and their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis by her side.
In her recent statement to the public, Kate thanked the British public for their kindness and best wishes.
She wrote: “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.”
Kate continued that she was making good progress, but has both good and bad days.
She continued: “I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes.”
The princess hopes to attend a few public engagements over the summer months, and we look forward to seeing her there.
Prince William is a pillar of strength for Kate Middleton
EXPERT analysis by author and royal expert, Ingrid Seward.
Steadfast when his family needed him, William has proved himself as a man and future monarch of strength and compassion.
While he might not have been present during Kate’s courageous video address — make no mistake, he has been by her side every step of the way.
William has stepped up with school-run duties and provided a “great source of comfort and reassurance” to his wife.
But he has also been a comforting and reassuring presence for the public.
From leading members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day Service to enjoying cheerful banter with youngsters on a youth centre visit, he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Even then there were few chinks in his facade — but Kate was clearly on his mind.
“She needs to be sat here to hear this,” he smiled when the discussion turned to the challenges of young families.
But ultimately he is only human.
To have your father and your wife diagnosed with cancer in such quick succession is heart-shattering.
It’s a remarkable insight into the character of this young man that he has been so incredibly brave.
Theirs is a very private turmoil which has been brought into the public arena by the nature of their roles as future King and Queen.
William must feel the weight of enormous responsibility, both personally and for the monarchy, of which he is now the public face.
But he knows his most important role is that of dad and husband.
He will make that his priority.
This is a distinct difference from the ways of the past, where your royal role came before the role of spouse and parent.
Think back to when the Queen was young.
William’s priority is his family
It was a man’s world then — and she was forced to abandon her children in a way that William is determined not to.
William and Kate waited until the school term was over and their children were home before making their public announcement.
They needed to be prepared.
In this, they will have had the wholehearted support of Charles — who knows what it feels like to be brought up by nannies.
William was also acutely aware of the lack of his own father’s presence in his life, especially when things went wrong.
In 1991, he was accidentally hit over the head with a golf club when he was at school and Diana was having lunch in her favourite restaurant San Lorenzo.
The call came through that William had been bashed on the head and they thought he might die so it was very serious.
Both Charles and Diana rushed down to Ludgrove.
William was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Diana went with him.
But ever a man of duty, Charles prioritised his engagements.
William is determined to do things differently.
