Princess of Wales makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosis at Trooping the Colour
It was a soggy morning on The Mall but that didn't stop thousands of spectators turning out to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Wales at the King's birthday parade, as ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship reports
The Princess of Wales has made her first official public appearance since revealing her cancer diagnosis at the Trooping the Colour parade.
Kate was pictured in the Glass Coach alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as part of a traditional procession for the event.
She later gathered with other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the fly-past, waving to the gathered crowds and standing proudly as the national anthem "God Save the King" was played.
At the start of the day, Kate was surrounded by other members of the family, with her husband the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, on horseback, as were the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
The King also rode in a carriage with the Queen, a departure from last year because of his illness.
Kate's appearance is not the start of a return to a full schedule of public engagements as she continues her cancer recovery.
The Princess of Wales was greeted by a sea of faces as the royal party turned from The Mall into Horse Guards Parade, with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence together in a carriage, while the Duchess of Edinburgh travelled in a coach with her daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and the Duke of Kent.
The royal party were in the midst of a sovereign's mounted escort, formed by troops from the Household Cavalry's Life Guards and Blues and Royals.
In the rear rank was Tennyson, one of the five horses injured when they ran through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise.
In a change from last year, Kate did not join senior family members on a dais, but watched the spectacle from the Duke of Wellington’s former office with her children.
When the inspection of the Guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskins began, the King cast his eye over the servicemen who are fighting soldiers when not performing ceremonial duties.
The assembled royals later returned to Buckingham Palace's balcony to watch the traditional flypast, which featured military planes and the Red Arrows.
The Princess of Wales had confirmed her attendance at Trooping the Colour via an official statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday.
Kate used the statement to provide an update on her health, saying she has "good days and bad days" during her cancer 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."
Kate added that while her cancer treatment is "ongoing" and will continue for "a few more months", she is "making good progress".
"As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she said.
"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."
"On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."
This is the Talking Royals - our weekly podcast about the royal family, with ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship and Producer Lizzie Robinson