James Manning/PA Wire
The Princess of Wales and her children were taken to the mall to watch Trooping the Colour.
The Mall, London
CNN
—
Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis, joining other royals in London. Color forcesthe official parade of the King’s birthday.
The princess, also known as Kate, was transported in an official carriage with her three children from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade to watch the ceremony. She can be seen wearing the badge of the Irish Guards Regiment, in reference to her role as an honorary colonel.
The family was later seen watching the events from a point of view, while Kate’s husband, William, the Prince of Wales, rode his horse.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were also transported in a carriage from Buckingham Palace, bringing cheers from packed crowds as they slowly made their way into the mall. The King is participating in a chariot rather than on horseback this year due to his cancer diagnosis.
People of all ages gathered along the mall for this event. Some spectators wear Union Jack hats and necklaces, while others wave flags. The most patriotic were singing the national anthem.
Kate is expected to join the royal family on the balcony at a later date. It marks a significant moment in the Princess’s recovery, and is her first public appearance since Christmas Day – weeks before she was diagnosed with cancer.
James Manning/PA Wire
King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel along the Mall to attend the Trooping the Color gala.
Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images
Royal fans carry a cardboard cutout of Catherine, Princess of Wales, as they wait in the mall outside Buckingham Palace.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Members of the public gather at Buckingham Palace.
Kate gave an update on her health on Friday, saying she had made “good progress” in her recovery. But she said she expects her treatment to continue for a few more months, and that she’s “not out of the woods yet.”
King Charles III is also participating, despite undergoing treatment for cancer.
Trooping the Color is a magnificent military spectacle that sees 1,400 officers and soldiers, along with 400 musicians and 200 horses, march through the streets of London from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guard Parade, while crowds line the route.
The event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – has been an official birthday tradition for the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. However, Charles’ actual birthday falls in November.
Britain’s kings and queens have doubled down on their celebrations since the 18th century, holding a public celebration – the official Christmas – and a more private event on the actual date.
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The tradition is believed to have begun with party-obsessed King George II in 1748. Like Charles III, George was born in November, when British weather is often far from ideal.
After the pageant, the parade returns to the palace where the king and family members traditionally gather on the famous balcony to greet cheering crowds of well-wishers below.
Kate’s appearance was a big topic of discussion among onlookers as they chatted and warmed their hands with flasks of tea. “We are very excited,” Rene Geldenhuis, 41, told CNN.
She added: “We hope we can go up to the balcony and see her beautiful face again… We missed seeing her in public, so we are mostly here for her.”
This year’s procedures have been modified as 75-year-old Charles continues treatment for an unspecified type of cancer.
Doctors were encouraged by his progress, allowing him to do so Resume public facing duties in April, but each post he makes is reviewed and adapted where appropriate.
For the events on Saturday, he will be reviewing the troops sitting in the Ascot Landau carriage alongside Queen Camilla.
Three from the British Army Horses that galloped through London in April They are back on duty and are expected to take part in a Christmas parade this weekend. The remaining two horses are “enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns” and will return to duty in due course, according to the army.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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