Kate Middleton, from her hair to her gestures: the background to her return. Photo and video

A Trooping the Color that will go down in history, that of Saturday. Kate Middleton’s return, after her illness, lifts the royal family from a very dark period and brings joy to the English who have been waiting for her for six months. Yet, her participation was only revealed at the last minute because it was not certain that the princess, suffering from cancer, would feel up to it. She, on the other hand, appeared fragile and thin, but serene and smiling. The usual determined Kate – photo | video 1 | video 2 | video 3 | video 4 | video 5 | video 6

William of England, Father’s Day is very sweet this year (with photos of Kate Middleton) – Look

THE LOOK IS A TRIBUTE TO THE KING – Kate chooses to wear a white Jenny Packham dress that she had already worn during Charles’ coronation celebrations. A tribute to the king, on his official birthday. But her dress is modified for the occasion with the addition of a large bow, just below her shoulder, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s look in My fair lady. The hat is by Philip Treacy (the most chosen by royal women). Kate also wears the pin of the Irish Guards of which she became colonel. She wears more makeup than usual, perhaps to expose her tiredness, and she wears her hair in her traditional low bun that she often chooses for formal occasions.

THE SECRET DIALOGUE – The day before the parade Kate and King Charles had a conversation about his possible participation. She didn’t want to steal the sovereign’s show, but he encouraged her to be there, for the good of the family and to accompany the little princes George, Charlotte and Louis. On the balcony, the king wanted her next to him. An image of unity and strength, despite the illness of both.

Kate Middleton returns to talk about her illness: “There are good days and bad days, I continue with chemo” – Look

THE SCENES OF LOUIS – Little Louis, 6, was the star of the show (after his mom). He performed the usual grimaces and big yawns during the interminable military choreography. He attempted to escape from a window of the Horse Guards Parade building from which he observed the ceremony (along with Kate and his brothers), nearly broke the cords of a tent and was scolded several times by his sister. “Stop it and follow the parade!”, orders the judicious Charlotte when the third born starts dancing to the rhythm of the band. “I won’t do it!”, he challenges her. “You have to do what you’re told”, “No!”. The bickering continues on the balcony of Buckingham Palace: “Keep your hands off!”, she orders. This time he obeys. Kate and William look at each other amused.
She cuddles her babies throughout the ceremony (while William follows on horseback). She strokes Charlotte’s hair, she hugs Louis, she proudly observes George, always composed. Being able to accompany them on this day was a great personal victory against the disease. During the carriage ride, she points out the crowd to her children: “Look!” and George observes, “Mom, they all seem very happy.”

THE KING’S SATISFACTION – “Well done everyone!”, praises King Charles at the end of the event, when the family is about to leave the balcony. The sovereign is satisfied with the day, despite the torrential rain. He was sorry not to be able to follow the parade on horseback, as he wanted, but he had to bow to the doctors’ advice and go in a carriage. But Kate’s return was more important than anything else.

Kate Middleton and the letter to the Irish Guards – Look

NEXT COMMITMENTS – The Princess of Wales has indicated that she hopes to attend some other official engagements over the summer. Palace sources, however, point out that she will not be at the Order of the Garter ceremony in Windsor today nor at the Royal Ascot horse races at the weekend. But she could make a trip to Wimbledon, a tournament she loves because she is an avid tennis player, and at the end of the month be present for the state visit of the Emperor of Japan.

Deborah Ameri