The Mall, London
CNN
—
Crowds gather in London Trooping the Color – the King's official birthday parade – after Catherine, the Princess of Wales confirmed she will attend her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis.
People of all ages flock the length of the mall. Some spectators wear Union Jack bucket hats and charms, while others wave flags. People who are very patriotic are singing the national anthem.
The Princess of Wales – also known as Kate – will watch the rest of the parade with her family nearby and is expected to join fellow royals in the balcony.
It represents a significant moment in the princess' recovery, marking her first public appearance since Christmas Day – just weeks before her cancer was diagnosed.
Kate gave an update on her health on Friday, saying she was making « good progress » in her recovery. But she said her treatment will continue for a few more months and is « not out of the woods yet. »
Despite being treated for cancer, King Charles III participates.
Trooping the Color is a spectacular military spectacle with 1,400 officers and soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses marching through the streets of London from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade.
The event – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – has been a tradition marking the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. However, Charles' actual birthday is in November.
Since the 18th century, Britain's kings and queens have doubled down on their celebrations, holding a public celebration — the official birthday — and a more private event on the actual date.
The tradition is believed to have started in 1748 with the partisan King George II. Like Charles III, George was born in November, when British weather is often less than ideal.
Following the pageant, the procession returns to the palace, where the sovereign and members of the family traditionally gather on the famous balcony to greet a raucous crowd of well-wishers below.
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Kate's appearance was a big topic of discussion among the audience, who chatted and warmed their hands in pots of tea. « We're very excited, especially because Kate can leave today, » Rein Geldenhuis, 41, told CNN.
« We hope to walk up to the balcony and see her beautiful face again… We don't see her in public, so we're here for her, » he added.
In a slight change from his coronation procession last year, King Charles will attend from a carriage rather than a horse.
Procedures have been modified this year as the 75-year-old continues treatment for an unspecified cancer.
Doctors were encouraged by his progress and cleared him Resume duties facing people April, but every engagement he undertakes will be reviewed and modified where appropriate.
For Saturday's events, he will conduct a review of the troops sitting in an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla.
Three of the British Army Horses bumped in London in April have returned to duty and are expected to participate in this weekend's birthday parade. The remaining two horses are « enjoying summer vacation at Chilterns » and will return to service in due course, according to the Army.
