A royal expert has claimed that the Buckingham Palace balcony line-up provided an insight into the relationship between King Charles and his “beloved” daughter-in-law.
Princess Kate made a triumphant return to Trooping the Colour on June 15 and stood next to King CharlesCredit: Getty
In 2023, King Charles was stood next to Prince William at Trooping the ColourCredit: AFP
Last year, King Charles was front and centre as he watched the display next to his son, and heir to the throne, Prince William.
However, the line-up was different this year, with the monarch standing next to his beloved daughter-in-law, Kate.
Both King Charles and Princess Kate are undergoing treatment for cancer, and heartwarming images showed them standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the crowds.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Royal Editor Emily Nash said: “It’s interesting. “So I don’t think it’s particularly choreographed.
“But just the fact that they have naturally arranged themselves in that way.
“And the way they were chatting to each other is obviously a great deal of affection between them, that they have this shared experience now.
“We know that, you know, they spent some time together while we were both at the same hospital and I think that while they were already quite close, this could only have brought them even closer together.”
Emily added to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson that the positioning could have been a “tacit show of support” between King Charles and the Princess of Wales.
The royal expert added: “I’m sure he was really happy that she was back there alongside them all.
“There are fewer of them now so they can move around a little bit more freely.
“In the days when there was 30 plus people on there [the balcony] then it was more of a question of where you are going to be wedged.”
The annual military parade was the first official royal event Kate had attended since Christmas Day, following her cancer diagnosis.
The Princess said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” – but vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.
Ahead of Trooping the Colour, she said: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months.
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Kate and William shared a sweet moment as they stood on the balcony for the flypastCredit: PA
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Kate announced in March she was undergoing preventative cancer treatmentCredit: AP
The Trooping positioning could be a ‘tacit show of support’ between King Charles and the Princess of Wales, claimed Royal Editor Emily NashCredit: AFP – Getty
“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
“I am making good progress, but 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.”
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade
The royal mum was joined at the event by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they rode in a carriage during the parade.
They were then joined by Prince William and other royals as they gathered to watch the Royal Air Force’s spectacular flypast.
Fans shared their reaction to the new line-up, with one person writing: “While last year, King Charles stood next to Prince William, this time, the monarch proudly stood next to a beaming Princess Kate.
“The royal duo appeared more united than ever as they marvelled at the huge crowds trickling down the Mall.”
We previously shared how Princess Kate shared an “emotional” lunch with King Charles just before she told the public about her cancer diagnosis.
A source said of the Windsor Castle get-together: “It is highly unusual for just the two of them to sit down together like this.
“The King had already been made aware that the woman he calls ‘my beloved daughter-in-law’ had cancer.”
