LINE OF DUTY
William beams at adoring crowd from royal procession – as ‘super trooper’ Kate stays home after weekend appearance
The Princess of Wales brought joy and relief to the nation as she appeared in a carriage on Saturday
PRINCE William was spotted beaming as he attended the Order of the Garter ceremony - as Princess Kate stays home to continue her cancer recovery.
The Royal Family are out in force as they hold a spectacular Garter Day at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, this afternoon.
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King Charles led the procession alongside Queen Camilla, 75, with Princess Anne and Prince Edward, 60, and Sophie, 59, following behind.
They wore ceremonial garb including the order's blue velvet robes and plumed hats.
In recent years Kate has travelled from the castle to St George's chapel in a carriage sitting alongside Prince William but instead will rest up.
The 42-year-old will not be seen this week after her exploits at Trooping the Colour as aides say it was not a "comeback" but part of her "journey".
It was the first public engagement for Kate - who is still having preventative cancer treatment - since she appeared with her family at Sandringham last Christmas.
But Wills looked in good spirits despite brave Kate's absence as he waved to crowds on a glorious sunny afternoon.
He chatted with his uncle Prince Edward as the busy royal summer period began in earnest.
The Order of the Garter ceremony has been held annually since 1948, celebrating the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in the U.K.
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Companions of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life or who have served the Sovereign personally.
Seven weeks ago the King made Kate the first ever Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour - but it is unsure whether an investiture will take place.
Queues lasting more than two hours had built up outside the castle this morning, with visitors bringing camping chairs as they prepared for a long wait to get in.
Touching new pic of William & kids taken by Kate revealed for Father's Day
While the main castle was shut to the public today, people queued to get a glimpse of those attending the service from 3pm at St George's Chapel within the grounds.
Meanwhile, the shamed Duke of York, 64, was booted from the public aspects of the ceremony.
However, Andrew will attend private parts of the Most Noble Order of the Garter service - because he remains a member.
An investiture will also take place making the Duchess of Gloucester a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
Lord Lloyd-Webber will be made a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
The King, 75, and Queen, 76, will lead the Royal Family at the five-day Royal Ascot racing which kicks off tomorrow.
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Other royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Mike and Zara Tindall, will also appear in carriages and the Royal Box.
But the Princess of Wales, who in her statement said she has ‘good days and bad days’ will not attend the festival.
It comes as Charles braved the pouring rain to salute troops at his first Trooping the Colour since his cancer diagnosis.
Charles and Kate were then reunited on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the first time since they both began cancer treatment.
It was a brave return to public life for Kate who has valiantly battled cancer for the last three months.
The mum-of-three had not been seen with the Royal Family since Christmas Day last year at Sandringham.
Kate was taken into hospital for planned abdominal surgery in January and spent 13 nights at the London Clinic before continuing her recovery at home with her family.
Days later, Kate bravely released a video revealing "tests after the operation found cancer had been present" and that she had started preventative cancer treatment.
On Saturday, Kate joined other members of the Royal Family to watch a spectacular flypast by the RAF as she made a triumphant return to public life at Trooping the Colour.
Duty & family mean everything to Kate
By ARTHUR EDWARDS, Sun Royal Photographer
THE Royals were one big happy family on the Buckingham Palace balcony as the Princess of Wales made an emotional one-off appearance.
This was a brave return to public life for Catherine, who has valiantly battled cancer for the last three months.
She did not have to be at Trooping the Colour and no one would have blamed her for staying away.
But she still chose to attend.
It is a measure of just how much her duty and family mean to her.
I have not seen the Princess of Wales in person since her last public engagement on Christmas Day, more than six months ago.
Yesterday she looked very well and, crucially, very healthy too.
While the photo released on Friday by Kensington Palace was a solemn snap, yesterday Catherine beamed with joy – her smile will undoubtedly warm the nation’s heart.
Accompanied by William, who has soldiered on alone while supporting his sick wife, and her adorable children, the whole group looked relaxed and united throughout one of the most important days of the year for the Royal Family.
It was also lovely to see Catherine exchanging words with her father-in-law King Charles.
Both of them battled hard to return to their duties and even through a long lens you can tell they have genuine warmth for each other.
The only downside was the classically British weather.
It was cold.
It was wet.
My jacket and my camera were soaked.
Next Thursday will be the longest day of the year but the driving rain made me feel like I was in the middle of January.
Yet the moment the Princess emerged to wave and smile, it made bearing the downpour worthwhile.
There were a lot of smart outfits on show – it was a military parade after all – but the Princess of Wales’ stunning white dress was a cut above everyone else’s.
Almost every camera there was fixed on her and with exceptional taste she picked out a dress that could be seen down The Mall by thousands of well-wishers.
This was a remarkable return by a remarkable woman and I'm sure it would’ve meant the world to have her family by her side.
So it’s no surprise that she didn’t stop smiling throughout.
She beamed on Saturday with doting husband Prince William and their kids at her side.
Kate looked stunning dressed in white as she laughed and chatted away to her family.
Prince William, who looked dapper in his red Irish Guards uniform, proudly donning medals on his chest, beamed at crowds, too.
Well-wishers held Union Jacks high as they squished together along the Mall - donning crowns and fascinators atop their heads.
The streets were coloured red, white and blue, as fans waited patiently to see the Princess of Wales.
Crowds erupted in the afternoon as Princess Kate stepped onto the balcony with Wills and her kids at her side.
The day had been plagued by rain but downpours couldn't dampen Kate's shine as she beamed alongside her family.
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Fans watched on in awe as the Princess joked and laughed with her children.
Kate had earlier shared sweet behind-the-scenes footage of her with George, Charlotte and Louis leaving for Trooping the Colour.
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
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