ROYAL fans were excited to see the Princess of Wales making a triumphant return to royal events at Trooping the Colour – but she skipped seeing Taylor Swift with her family.
Former Royal Correspondent Charles Rae shared on our Royal Exclusive show why Princess Kate was right to stay at home with Prince Louis instead of going to the gig.
Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, Charles said: “I think [it was] sensible in the case of Louis because I think he’s unpredictable at the moment, given his age.
“I can understand why Catherine didn’t go because she’s still recovering and I think she’s, rightly so, pacing herself at the moment.
“We saw her at Trooping the Colour, which was fantastic, she looked absolutely sensational.
It was nice to see her back again.
“But I think it was the right decision that those two stayed away, I’m sure Louis didn’t miss out too much.”
The Prince of Wales was seen at Wembley Stadium to mark his 42th birthday with children Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, nine, as they watched Taylor Swift perform.
The royal trio also posed for selfies with Swift herself and her American football player boyfriend Travis Kelce.
Charles added: “This is now what happens when people meet royalty. Now, you don’t just meet royalty you actually get selfies with them, so you’ve got this record of them.
“You’ve got people like one of the best singers in the world Taylor Swift taking selfies, that is a big accolade for her and shows her friendship to William.”
William previously shared the stage with Swift at Kensington Palace in 2013 to perform Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi for a charity event.
The future king was seen pulling his best dance moves at the gig as he got into the music.
Fellow royals Zara and Mike Tindall were also spotted at the gig.
Among the other attendees at the concert were Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria.
Swift told the 89,000-strong crowd: “Oh my God, London, look what you’ve done. What better way to spend a Friday night than in the most exhilarating city in the world?”
The June 22 gig was the first of three sold-out dates at Wembley, with the international sensation returning in August to perform another five.
Travis gave his impressions of William to his brother Jason during their podcast New Heights this week.
Travis and Jason both met the prince at the Swift concert in England last weekend.
During their podcast, Travis praised the royal’s personality when he met him backstage at the concert.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 14: Kate attended Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attended the Wimbledon Men’s Final with Princess Charlotte
“Dude, he was the coolest mother****er,” he said.
The 36-year-old Jason added, “He was awesome.”
The brothers shared that William was “so cool” and is “a good dude.”
We last saw Kate, 42, at Trooping the Colour on June 15, where she rode in a carriage with her kids and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the royal family.
This year King Charles made a key change to the line-up in honour of her return.
Last year, the monarch was front and centre as he watched the display next to his son, and heir to the throne, Prince William.
However, the line-up was swapped this year so the monarch could stand next to his beloved daughter-in-law, Kate.
Both King Charles and Princess Kate are undergoing treatment for cancer, and heartwarming images showed them standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the crowds.
In a personally written statement released on June 14, Princess Kate said she was making “good progress’, explaining that there are “good days and bad days”.
She wrote her treatment will be “ongoing and will be for a few more months” and that she is “not out of the woods yet”.
Kate added: “I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”
She also thanked the public, saying: “Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”
The Princess of Wales announced on March 22, 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and revealed she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment after post-operation tests came back positive.
She underwent major abdominal surgery in London in January which was thought to be non-cancerous at the time.
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.