Catherine, Princess of Wales, joins the royal family on the palace balcony as she crowns her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis

The Shopping Centre, London
CNN
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Catherine, Princess of Wales, joined other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the king’s official birthday, capping her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.

The Princess, also known as Kate, was driven in a state carriage with her three children from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to attend the celebration, known as Trooping the Colour. She could be seen wearing an Irish Guards regimental pin, a nod to her role as honorary colonel.

The family were then seen watching the events from a vantage point, while Kate’s husband William, Prince of Wales, rode his horse.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were also taken by horse-drawn carriage from Buckingham Palace, drawing cheers from the packed crowd as they slowly made their way up the mall. The king participated this year in a carriage rather than on horseback due to his own cancer diagnosis.

People of all ages gathered throughout the mall for the event. Some spectators wear Union Jack hats and fascinators, while others wave flags. Some sang the national anthem.

For Kate, it was her first public appearance since Christmas Day, weeks before her cancer diagnosis.

Kate gave an update on her health on Friday, saying she had made “good progress” in her recovery. But she said she expected her treatment to last a few more months and that she was “not out of the woods yet.”

King Charles III also takes part, although he is also being treated for cancer.

Trooping the Color is a magnificent military spectacle which sees 1,400 officers and soldiers, along with 400 musicians and 200 horses, parade through the streets of London, from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guard’s Parade, while crowds line the route.

The event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – has been a tradition marking the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. However, Charles’ real birthday is in November.

Britain’s kings and queens have doubled down on their festivities since the 18th century, holding both a public celebration – the official birthday – and a more private event on the actual date.

This tradition is believed to have started with party-crazed King George II in 1748. Like Charles III, George was born in November, when the British weather is often less than ideal.

Proof of this is that the weather deteriorated as the events drew to a close. Crowds awaiting the king’s return to the palace were lashed by heavy rain and gusty winds. Some spectators had difficulty keeping their umbrellas in place.

After the pageantry, the parade returned to the palace where the sovereign and family members gathered on the famous balcony to greet the enthusiastic crowds of well-wishers below.

Kate’s appearance was a big talking point among onlookers as they chatted and warmed their hands with flasks of tea. “We are very excited,” Reine Geldenhuys, 41, told CNN.

“We hope we can go up to the balcony and see her beautiful face again… We missed seeing her in public, so we are here especially for her,” she added.

This year’s proceedings have been adapted as Charles, 75, continues treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

Doctors have been encouraged by his progress, allowing him to return to public duty in April, but every engagement he makes is reviewed and adjusted as appropriate.

For Saturday’s events, he carried out his review of the troops seated in an Ascot pram alongside Queen Camilla.

Three of the British Army horses that stormed into London in April returned to duty and took part in this weekend’s anniversary parade. The two remaining horses are “enjoying a summer holiday in the Chilterns” and will return to service in due course, according to the army.

This is a developing story and will be updated.