Trooping the Colour 2024 Highlights: Kate Middleton Makes a Royal Return

Kate Middleton made her return to the public eye on Saturday during Trooping the Colour 2024, the annual ceremonial event in honor of the official birthday of the British sovereign. Though it was not an official return to royal duties, Kate’s appearance marked a significant milestone for the princess, as it will be her first official royal engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

On Friday, the Princess of Wales confirmed her attendance in a heartfelt update shared across the Wales’ social media accounts. “I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” she wrote in a caption, which accompanied a photograph taken by Matt Porteous. “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.”

In March, Kate revealed in a prerecorded video message that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was in the early stages of preventative chemotherapy. The shocking news came a couple of months after the princess underwent planned abdominal surgery, during which cancer had been discovered via postoperative tests.

During Trooping the Colour 2024, which took place at Horse Guards Parade ground in London, Kate was joined in a carriage by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They watched the celebration from the Major General’s office with other family members.

Meanwhile, sources tell Vanity Fair that in the lead-up King Charles, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, was “very much looking forward” to the event, which dates back to the 18th century. He first attended Trooping the Colour at just three years old and has been participating in the parade since 1975. According to former Buckingham Palace spokesperson Dickie Arbiter, Charles’s attendance was “non-negotiable.” “You really cannot imagine Trooping the Colour without the monarch. I understand the king was determined to be at his birthday parade,” he told VF.

Louis Doing Louis Things, 2024 EditionPrince Louis may be a prince, but maybe he should also claim the titles of Lord of the Dance and King of the Candid.

Louis, 6, was caught on camera catching the vibe of the bagpipes during his grandfather’s birthday parade, boogying to the traditional music as his mom Kate Middleton smiled on and Princess Charlotte appeared to share choice commentary on her little brother’s dance moves.

Flying By(L-R) Britain’s Prince George of Wales, Prince William; Prince of Wales; Prince Louis of Wales; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Princess Charlotte of Wales; King Charles III; and Queen Camilla stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending the King’s Birthday Parade “Trooping the Colour” in London.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images

The RAF’s flypast has started, and key members of the royal family have emerged onto the balcony to watch.

It’s a smaller crew than usual taking in the view: King Charles and Queen Camilla are in the center, of course, flanked by Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to one side, and on the other, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, as well as Princess Anne.

Weathering the YearsThings seem to be clearing up in London after some very heavy rain, just in time for the royal family’s traditional balcony appearance, a highlight of the event.

By contrast, just last year, it was so hot during Trooping the Colour that several guardsmen passed out on their feet during the final preparations for the event.

Gotta love that predictably unpredictable London weather!

From Adrian Dennis/Getty Images

Looking Back at Balcony PhotosBefore the royal family appears on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to take in the Red Arrows flypast, take a walk down memory lane.

Below, a look back at the balcony-based photo op from Trooping the Colours past.

June 2023

Samir Hussein

June 2022

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

June 2019

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

June 2018

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

June 2017

James Devaney

June 2016

Luca Teuchmann

June 2015

Zak Hussein/Getty Images

June 2014

Anwar Hussein

June 2013

Dominic Lipinski – PA Images/Getty Images

June 2012

Dominic Lipinski – PA Images/Getty Images

Behind the ScenesThe ceremony is still very much underway, but the Prince and Princess of Wales have already shared a behind-the-scenes look from Trooping the Colour on their Instagram account.

In the clip, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are seen awaiting their carriage. The last frame captures a sweet moment from Louis as he waves at the camera before the family heads out toward the awaiting crowds.

Don’t Rain on My ParadeJames Manning – PA Images/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

It seems as if both the sky and a sea of umbrellas have opened up as a downpour unleashes upon Trooping the Colour. However, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the royal attendees are on their way back toward Buckingham Palace in their carriages.

Around 8:00 a.m. EST, the royal family will gather on the balcony of the East Wing of Buckingham Palace to take in the Red Arrows flypast.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

James Manning – PA Images/Getty Images

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Not Business As Usual

It’s important to note that while Kate Middleton is at today’s celebration in an official capacity, this shouldn’t be considered a full return to duties for the Princess of Wales.

While it’s comforting to see Kate out in public with her family, the familiar sight of her wrangling her kids while observing the parade from a window in Buckingham Palace, in her post yesterday she wrote that she “hope[s] to join a few public engagements this summer, equally knowing that I am not out of the woods yet.” It’s very much a wait-and-see approach, understandably so while she’s still undergoing treatment for cancer.

In 2023, Kate had an eye-popping 128 engagements. Princess Anne, however, had the most of the royal family, with 457—that’s 32 more than King Charles III.

So while the world is excited to see the Princess of Wales at a public engagement for the first time in roughly six months, Kate herself is tempering expectations.

Queen CamillaQueen Camilla travels along The Mall to the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, to celebrate King Charles III’s official birthday. Picture date: Saturday June 15, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)Jonathan Brady – PA Images/Getty Images

As she rides along King Charles, Queen Camilla smiles from her carriage in a pastel green silk crepe coat and dress from Anna Valentine and an ornate hat by Philip Treacy.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 15: King Charles III and Queen Camilla during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England. Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial parade celebrating the official birthday of the British Monarch. The event features over 1,400 soldiers and officers, accompanied by 200 horses. More than 400 musicians from ten different bands and Corps of Drums march and perform in perfect harmony. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Sophie, Duchess of EdinburghMark Cuthbert/Getty Images

London may be overcast this morning, but Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, brings her own pop of color in a canary-yellow fit.

Royal RewearLady Louise Windsor during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Lady Louise Windsor, the 20-year-old daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is proving sustainability is always in fashion.

For this morning’s Trooping the Colour ceremony, Louise opted for a royal rewear by sporting the same floral-print silk dress by Suzannah London that she wore to King Charles’s coronation back in May 2023.

The look retails for $1,725 and features the artwork of French botanical photographer Rachel Levy.

Lady Louise Windsor, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Charlotte on May 6, 2023 in London, England.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

It’s His PartyKing Charles III and Queen Camilla are out of their carriage (reportedly the king’s one concession, as he wanted to arrive on horseback) and seated on the grounds under a canopy to watch the parade. This is not only technically a celebration of Charles’ birthday (which is actually in November; Trooping the Colour is held this time of year to take advantage of better weather, regardless of the sovereign’s actual date of birth), but his first Trooping the Colour since sharing his own cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Jonathan Brady – PA Images/Getty Images

Camilla, clad in light mint green with a white hat, could be seen tapping her toe to the band’s music as the troops gathered for inspection.

Kate Middleton, in her first official public appearance since Christmas 2023, could be seen watching the parade with her children from a window.

Princess Kate’s Outfit DetailsJUSTIN TALLIS/Getty Images

Kate Middleton is wearing a crisp white coatdress trimmed with a black and white bow from Jenny Packham, a British designer who has outfitted the Princess of Wales for many important occasions, as well as a hat from milliner Philip Treacy.

Samir Hussein

With her hair pulled back, royal watchers may also recognize Kate’s pearl and diamond earrings by Cassandra Goad as she wore them to Prince Louis’s christening in 2018.

Famous SeamusChris Jackson/Getty Images

Seamus, the beloved mascot of the Irish Guards, is a fan favorite during Trooping the Colour.

Though he’s affectionately known as Seamus, the Irish wolfhound is actually named Turlough Mór after an ancient Irish king.

Here, Seamus is led across the square by a drummer and presented to the regiment as the soldiers line up.

A Last-Minute AnnouncementAfter missing what is essentially the final rehearsal for Trooping the Colour last weekend, Kate Middleton announced to the public yesterday that she would be attending the King’s Birthday Parade—with less than a day’s notice. She also shared a candid health update in the Instagram post announcing her return, emphasizing that though she hopes to attend more events this summer, she’s not yet “out of the woods” health-wise and is still undergoing cancer treatment.