The second Saturday in June can only mean one thing in the royal calendar – Trooping the Colour.
I arrived at the Mall on the morning of 15 June at 7:00 am, expecting the usual hordes of royal watchers in their prime position, opposite Buckingham Palace. What I wasn’t prepared for were the inclement weather conditions that left my umbrella inside out and my trainers soaking wet.
Prince Louis is seen dancing during Trooping the Colour
Prince Louis is seen dancing during Trooping the Colour
The Prince was seen enjoying the music during the event
Prince George and Princess Anne’s sweet interaction on the balcony at Trooping the Colour
But it wasn’t all grey, as this event was Princess Kate’s first since news of her cancer diagnosis back in March, so the eager crowds and I were in exceptionally high spirits.
The excitement grew as we began to see policemen and military members get in position, not to mention the fun addition of a shaggy pooch leading the Irish guards.
Before we knew it, the bass drum could be heard banging in the distance, and the royals closely followed.
Ever the dotiпg mother
Ahead of the King’s appearance, fans warmed up their vocal chords with a couple of renditions of God Save The King and a few cheers before he and Queen Camilla came past in their carriage.
© Samir HυsseiPrincess Kate soon followed with Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte in tow. The Wales quartet were given a roaring cheer from the crowd as their carriage made its way up the Mall.
Princess Charlotte couldn’t have been more her mother’s mini-me, waving synonymously with her whilst beaming for all to see. It’s safe to say everyone there was more than delighted to see Kate’s return.
A royal downpour
It wouldn’t be a royal event without a royal downpour. If anyone can remember the King’s Coronation last May, the heavens opened then as well, only this time it’s one year later and due to be the height of summer.
The rain came down, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the day
When I say downpour, I mean torrential rain with a smattering of thunder and lightning for good measure.
While members of the public were getting soaked, their moods certainly didn’t dampen, and as soon as the barriers were opened after the carriage procession, everyone was so eager to run through the puddles that had accumulated to get a glimpse of The Firm on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
A balcony moment to remember
When it was time for the flypast, the sun came out, and what a spectacular display it was. Everyone cheered as the Red Arrows adorned the sky with striking red, white, and blue smoke trails.
The moment the planes reached the top of Buckingham Palace over the lineup of senior royals was one that I will never forget.
It was a joy to see the royals watching the flypast
Seeing Kate looking as immaculate as always in her resplendent black and white ensemble alongside the beautiful Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh in striking lemon, and of course all the adorable royal children who couldn’t stop waving with excitement, was truly a sight for sore eyes.
Louis had crowds cracking up with his usual antics, showing off his fabulous dance moves and non-stop waving even when his siblings had ceased. Things seemed wonderfully normal after months of turbulence.
Listen: A Right Royal Portrait
What did the crowd think?
When I caught up with the crowds, they only had one thing on their lips, and that was Princess Kate.
“We are just so thrilled that Princess Kate was back, and she just looked amazing,” said Helen Critcher, who was at the palace with her sister Cathy Bonthuys.
© GettyMeanwhile, Neil, who was dressed head-to-toe in a Union Jack suit and matching trilby, said: “I am a big royal fan. My favorite part of the day was seeing Princess Kate out for the first time; she looked absolutely beautiful. I didn’t get a chance to see her on the balcony, but I saw her in the carriage with her children; it was the absolute highlight of my day.”
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