Kate Middleton did not want to get involved, according to one expert.
15:38, 18 Jun 2025Updated 15:51, 18 Jun 2025
Princess Charlotte and the Princess of Wales arrive back at Buckingham Palace after Trooping the Colour on Saturday(Image: PA)
Trooping the Colour took place at the weekend, with royal fans delighted to see Kate Middleton back in the fold for the annual event. The Princess of Wales was forced to miss last year’s ceremony to celebrate King Charles’ 76th birthday as she focused on her recovery from cancer.
On November 14 each year, King Charles marks his birthday privately, but each year in June he marks his “official” birthday with the military spectacle where the most prestigious regiments in the British Army honour the monarch by parading for the special day.
Kate was back to join in the celebrations on Saturday as she continues to return to official royal working life. She was cheered along with her children, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis, as they followed the King and Queen in a carriage and made their way from Buckingham Palace, down the Mall, to Horse Guards Parade.
It was a full house for ‘the Firm’ as Kate and her children were joined by Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, who followed the procession on horseback, as delighted crowds looked on.
A couple of years back, Kate reportedly made a swift head-turning gesture to Queen Camilla during the historical event, according to a body language expert, as we previously reported.
The royal family give their final wave from the Palace balcony (Image: PA)
The monarch appeared to struggle as the horse he was riding that year became excitable, and according to body language expert Judi James, Camilla was on the sidelines to try and provide support. However, the princess steered clear.
She explained: “Trooping the Colour might have been slightly marred by the rather frisky horse that Charles seemed to be struggling with and which meant he rarely achieved the same kind of formal mounted pose that his son and siblings achieved riding behind him to the parade ground.
Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales ride in a carriage along The Mall on Saturday June 17, 2023(Image: PA)
“While William and Edward sat bolt upright on their very calm horses, with right arms rigid at their sides, Charles frequently needed two hands on the reins and a series of pats that increased in intensity as his horse needed steering and correcting throughout the ride to the parade ground.
“The King seemed to be complaining again to Camilla once he arrived beside the rostrum where she was standing, meaning instead of offering a smile of pride and support her body language suggested she was giving a rather stern-looking pep-talk than involved frowning and some firm-looking head baton nods.
“Kate took one glance at the conversation and turned her head away, clearly not wanting to get involved.”
That same year, Judi also noted a change with William and Kate’s cheeky son Prince Louis but said he still remained his excitable self thanks to his mum.
She explained: “With Louis now dressed exactly like George, it is obvious that his behaviour is also getting more grown-up and less playful but there were several signs that, with the encouragement of Kate, he is still enjoying his royal events and getting excited by everything going on around him.
“He strode out first when he and his siblings walked from their carriage on the parade ground and when he was in the carriage he got a beam from Kate as he mimed drumming while the band played.
“On the balcony, he turned to chat to his parents but his enthusiasm for the Red Arrows was obvious from his impatience signal as he waited for them to arrive, rolling his hands into fists and punching them together.
“With this slimmed-down monarchy, there was more of a less formal, family feel to the balcony group. Camilla was chatting to Charles as they walked out and Charlotte had to squeeze out behind her grandfather, followed by an equally squeezing-through Kate.
“Sophie and Edward chatted to Charles and Camilla, with Sophie making her husband laugh as she mimed how close two of the planes had flown and Charles chatted frequently to William, with the pair showing signs of a new, more easy-going bonding.”
This year, another sweet moment was picked up by a lip reader, when Charlotte could be seen chatting to her mum as they made their way to the celebrations. According to professional lip reader Jeremy Freeman, Princess Charlotte said: “Who is it?” asking about a person in the crowd, Kate then replied and Charlotte then appeared to say: “Oh brilliant” before the mother and daughter giggled together.
Meanwhile, a fresh update on Kate’s health was provided today, as it was announced she was pulling out of Royal Ascot at the last minute.
Spectators were hoping to catch a glimpse of Kate as William was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet. Kate’s name had also been included in the official programme as taking part in today’s carriage procession in the second carriage alongside William.
But soon after Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be there. It is understood she is trying to find the “right balance” as she fully returns to public-facing engagements.
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