Queen Camilla wears a pastel green dress at Trooping the Colour

Today, the British royal family marks the public birthday celebrations of King Charles – not to be confused with his actual birthday! – with a ceremonial event called Trooping the Colour. Traditionally, the annual celebration revolves around a special parade attended by hundreds of members of the British armed forces and, of course, the royals themselves. The highlight is an appearance by the monarch on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Camilla waved to well-wishers from her carriage, looking stunning in a light green silk crepe coat and dress by Anna Valentine and a Philip Treacy hat. She accessorised with her Grenadier Guards military brooch and a pearl necklace.

While last year Charles rode in the parade on horseback and Camilla sat in a carriage alongside Kate Middleton and the Wales children, this year the royal sat in the carriage with his wife. The change was announced in May, apparently for health reasons after Charles was diagnosed and treated for cancer earlier this year.

Kate, meanwhile, delighted fans with her first official public appearance since announcing her own cancer diagnosis in March. It was originally thought that the Princess of Wales would not attend the event as she has not yet returned to official duties, but Kensington Palace released a surprise statement from Kate yesterday announcing that she would ride in the procession with her children after all. “I am looking forward to taking part in the King's Birthday Parade with my family this weekend and hope to be able to attend some public engagements over the summer, but I know I am not out of the woods yet,” she wrote.

The palace made it clear that Kate's appearance today should not be seen as a sign that she is returning to the royal's daily work routine. Kate herself confirmed that she will continue her chemotherapy for a few more months.

Earlier this week, she wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, of which she will succeed as Colonel in 2022, apologizing for not being able to take the salute at parade rehearsal. “I appreciate that everyone joining the force this year has spent months practicing and many hours making sure their uniforms and drill are immaculate,” Kate wrote. “Being your Colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry that I will not be able to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review. Please pass on my apologies to the entire Regiment, however I hope to be able to represent you all again very soon.”

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