SUBTLE SWAP
Key change King Charles made for Kate Middleton on the balcony at Trooping The Colour & fans are saying the same thing
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams weighed in on the change and its significance
TROOPING the Colour was extra special this year thanks to the triumphant return of the Princess of Wales.
Princess Kate, 42, delighted royal fans by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the King, Queen, Prince William and her children.
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Saturday’s annual military parade was the first official royal event Kate had attended since Christmas Day, following her cancer diagnosis.
This year King Charles made a key change to the line-up in honour of her return.
The royal mum was joined 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.
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 swapped this year so the monarch could stand 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.
The royal pair appeared united as they beamed and watched fans gathered down The Mall.
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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: "What I think the image I think so many people will have is of Catherine standing next to King Charles on the balcony.
“Here though, that relationship was highlighted to illustrate how those bonds have only deepened and enriched by their bonds of empathy created by their illnesses.
Kate shares adorable behind-the-scenes footage of her with Charlotte, Louis & George during Trooping the Colour parade
"This can be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity and support from Charles to Catherine."
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.
What I think the image I think so many people will have is of Catherine standing next to King Charles on the balcony
Richard Fitzwilliams
“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.
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The Princess of Wales announced on Friday she would be making a comeback for the Monarch's birthday celebrations.
The mum-of-three has not been seen with the Royal Family since Christmas Day last year at Sandringham.
This can be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity and support from Charles to Catherine
Richard Fitzwilliams
She was taken to hospital for planned abdominal surgery in January and spent 13 nights at the London Clinic before continuing her recovery at home with her family.
In March, Kate bravely released a video revealing that "tests after the operation found cancer had been present" and that she had started preventative cancer treatment.
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 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.
"It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months
Kate Middleton
"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.
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"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."
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