The Princess of Wales took her place alongside her three children in the royal carriage procession at Trooping the Colour 2026 on Saturday, June 13, marking another significant public appearance as she continues her recovery from cancer.
Kate Middleton, 44, rode in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8. The Princess of Wales sat beside her youngest son, Louis, while George and Charlotte sat opposite them in the Ascot Landau carriage.
Charlotte was seen smiling and waving to the crowds along the procession route, delighting royal watchers gathered for the annual celebration of King Charles’ official birthday.
A Fashion Statement
Kate chose a pale blue Catherine Walker look, topped with a coordinating Philip Treacy hat. She accessorized with her Irish Guards brooch and Cassandra Goad earrings. Princess Charlotte complemented her mother in a cream dress, while Prince George and Prince Louis coordinated in dark blue suits with matching pale blue ties.
The ensemble continued Kate’s tradition of elegant, color-coordinated family appearances at major royal events.
A Resilient Return
Princess Kate has attended every Trooping the Colour celebration since marrying Prince William in 2011, except when the event was scaled down in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She even joined the parade in 2024 as one of the few royal events she attended after announcing that she was receiving cancer treatment.
She announced in early 2025 that she was in remission. Despite resuming her schedule of royal duties, Princess Kate has been open about the “really, really difficult” period that comes amid cancer recovery.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said during a visit to Colchester Hospital last summer.
“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” she continued. “And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”
The Nation’s Heart
Royal historian Amanda Foreman told PEOPLE about how Princess Kate is reclaiming her royal role after cancer treatment: “She is the MVP of the royal family.”
Ailsa Anderson, former press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth, agreed, telling PEOPLE: “Fast-forward, and what a difference a year makes. She’s even more beloved in the nation’s hearts than she was.”
The Bottom Line
Kate Middleton rode in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour 2026 in London alongside her children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. She wore a pale blue Catherine Walker dress with a coordinating Philip Treacy hat. The appearance marked another significant public event for the Princess of Wales, who announced in early 2025 that she is in remission after cancer treatment. Royal historians say she is “even more beloved” in the nation’s hearts following her health battle.
