Smiling, Kate took part in the parade for the king’s birthday

Six months after her last appearance, Princess Kate, who is undergoing extensive treatment for cancer, made her big public return on Saturday morning in London, on the occasion of the military parade celebrating the official birthday of King Charles III, even if he will not actually celebrate his 76th birthday until November 14.

Dressed in a long white coat and wearing a hat, the Princess of Wales, 42, appeared smiling and greeting the public who came en masse, in the carriage which took her with her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where the ceremony takes place.

She then got off the carriage to follow the rest of the ceremony called “Trooping the Color” from an official building. A little later, she must accompany the royal family to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the traditional greeting to the population.

While it has been six months – since her last appearance shortly before Christmas – that she withdrew from any public commitment to undergo preventive chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales announced Friday evening in a message published on social networks that she would attend this festive event because of the “good progress” of her treatment.

“It’s incredible to see her at such an important event,” enthused Sarah Morley to AFP, a 45-year-old Australian tourist, present near the Mall, after Kate’s visit.

“She is very natural, like Diana, she is good” for the monarchy, insists her mother, Julie Smith, born in England.

“I was so happy to hear the news last night,” said Angela Perry, a 50-year-old teacher from Reading in west London. “She’s our future queen, she’s so important,” she insists.

In a message Friday evening, Prince William’s wife gave news of his health for the first time since announcing his illness in a video at the end of March.

The king, also suffering from cancer and currently undergoing treatment, also participated in the military parade given in his honor.

He traveled down the Mall, the long avenue from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, in a carriage accompanied by Queen Camilla, receiving the salute of the troops.

Last year, Charles led the procession on horseback, as did his son Prince William, his sister and brother Princess Anne and Prince Edward, all three of whom continued the tradition this year.

The sovereign resumed his public engagements at the end of April, after his doctors said they were “sufficiently satisfied with the progress made so far”.

The military parade is being held under heavy police surveillance, while the anti-monarchy movement Republic plans to demonstrate.

Early Saturday, activists were already present along the Mall, shouting the slogan “Not my King”, waving yellow flags, the color of this movement, while another group calling themselves “The Royalists” shouted “God save the King”, British flag in hand.