The Princess of Wales made an emotional return to the public as she greeted crowds and made a sweet nod to Prince Louis at today's Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Kate, 42, beamed as she waved to the huge crowds with her three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The family enjoyed a carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to watch the military spectacle before Kate emerged on the Buckingham Palace balcony next to her husband Prince William as the pair chatted enthusiastically.
The Princess stunned in a white and navy trimmed dress by Jenny Packham, complete with a wide brimmed Philip Treacy hat and a glowing Irish Guards brooch, but she appeared to make a touching nod to her third-youngest child Prince Louis with one stand-out accessory she wore at today's parade.
Kate sported a set of 18ct yellow gold earrings with seven peals set with diamonds, inspired by the flower stalks of a cauliflower. The £5,430 accessory was last worn at Prince Louis' christening at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in London back in 2018.
Prince Louis, who is fifth in line to the British throne, was christened at the ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby today. While The Queen and Prince Philip were not among the guests, a royal source said it had been agreed some time ago that Her Majesty would not be present, and that her absence was not due to any health issues.
But William's father, then Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were seen alongside his younger brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan. Other guests included Kate's parents Carol and Michael Middleton, her brother James, sister Pippa and Louis's six godparents, who are close friends or relatives of William and Kate. After the ceremony the close knit group made their way to Clarence House, where they enjoyed slices of fruit cake taken from the top tier of Kate and William's wedding cake from 2011.
Today, the Princess of Wales was seen smiling and talking to the King as the flypast continued over Buckingham Palace at today's Trooping the Colour event. She was spotted laughing with her family as her daughter, Princess Charlotte, stood in front of her. It came towards the end of the Princess' triumphant return to the public eye as she now goes back to continue her fight against cancer. Yesterday it was annouced that Kate would be attending the celebration of the King's official birthday with her family. In a personal message, Kate said she has "good days and bad days" amid her preventative chemotherapy treatment.
She said: "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. 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. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me."