It’s an official celebration of the monarch’s birthday, but Carlos III is not the protagonist of this Saturday’s Trooping the Color parade. The day was marked by Kate Middleton’s return to the royal family after battling cancer. Sensible, the Princess of Wales exuded an image of unity and restraint in the (small) royal family as she waved to the crowd on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as if nothing had happened.
On Saturday morning, as Kate was seen in a carriage with her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, pictures began circulating on social media of the princess’ unchanged appearance as she undergoes chemotherapy for cancer. . In addition to her apparent thinness, the future queen looked as usual.
For her comeback, unlike last year, Kate took no chances and wore a black and white dress designed by British designer Jenny Packham. This option is similar to the one worn by the Princess of Wales for the coronation of Charles III in May 2023, leading us to believe it was a reuse, although the dress was altered at the waist. connection
It wasn’t long before the dress was compared to the iconic dress worn by Audrey Hepburn. My fair lady, a 1964 George Cukor film, to attend the Royal Ascot horse races. Kate also didn’t forget the black and white Philip Treacy hat to match the Cassandra Coat pearl earrings she wore to Prince Louis’ christening in 2018. To complete the look: Chest Guards of the Irish, of which the Princess of Wales is Colonel.
REUTERS/Holly Adams
Charles III’s daughter-in-law waved to the waiting crowd on the Buckingham Palace balcony with Prince William and his three children despite the steady rain. Watch the air force parade, Kate and Charlotte (in matching outfits with her mother) share a few moments of complicity, while little Louis steals the spotlight (again) by dancing to the sound of military bands.
In the center of the balcony, Carlos and Camila (wearing a sea green dress and a tailored coat by Anna Valentine) waved to the crowd, surrounded by family, in a vision of unity and saving. The king had long proclaimed the need for a smaller royal family, which would save costs, and the image of a smaller balcony (only 15 compared to more than 40 in the past) confirmed such an ideal.
Apart from the Princes and Kings of Wales, only senior members of the Windsors – those who work full-time for the Crown – were in attendance, such as the Dukes of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophia, with their daughter Louise; Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Lawrence; as well as Edward, Duke of Kent; and the Dukes of Gloucester, Richard and Brigid, first cousins of Elizabeth II.
REUTERS/Holly Adams
Party expenses
Despite the image of a smaller and, consequently, more detached family, the Trooping the Color parade was not exempt from criticism. As Carlos and Camila waved on the balcony, protesters in the crowd held signs that read “Not my king” (not my king, in Portuguese).
A few days earlier, the British press recalled the cost of the march with over 1400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. According to Express, The celebration will cost around ten million pounds (11.8 million euros), with costs being borne by Buckingham Palace, which also has its own funding from the Duchies of Lancaster or Cornwall.
In other words, British taxpayers do not directly pay for the festival, despite contributing an annual subsidy of £1.29 (about €1.50) per person in the United Kingdom each year. According to the Royal Family website. However, there are other costs such as event security which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.
However, the celebration also generates some income as tickets are sold to see the King’s birthday parade on The Mall, ranging from ten to 30 pounds (11 to 35 euros) per person.
PA/TOLGA AKMEN
Trooping the Color has celebrated the official birthday of sovereigns since 1748 (it has been held continuously since 1820) — Charles III celebrates his 76th birthday on 14 November. All monarchs since Edward VII at the start of the 20th century have attended the event in June, with Elizabeth II absent only in 2020 and 2021, when the parade was canceled during the pandemic.
Last year, Carlos III made a surprise appearance on horseback – only his mother Isabel II had done so in 1986. This year, the king, considering his frail health, traveled in a coach. In February, he announced that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, although he maintained his official agenda and acted as head of state.
Kate Middleton said in a written message that despite Saturday’s celebrations and “good progress” with chemotherapy, she has not yet officially returned to royal duties. For now, this summer, he hopes to “participate in some public engagements,” but without making any announcements. In fact, the royal family’s official agenda does not include any engagements scheduled for next year for the Princess of Wales.
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