Kate Middleton has her hands full with Prince Louis on her emotional return to public life

The Princess of Wales made a triumphant and emotional return to public life at Trooping the Colour today (Saturday, June 15), following her cancer diagnosis. However, she had her hands full with an energetic Prince Louis.

Kate, 42, was all smiles as she stood on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the climax of the event, the RAF flypast. She waved to the cheering crowds alongside King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment.

The princess stood next to her husband, Prince William, and their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Louis - who were all captivated by the planes.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton makes return to public life after cancer diagnosis at Trooping the Colour

READ MORE: Palace releases new statement on Kate's health progress

Earlier, Kate, a mother of three, kept a close eye on her children as they rode in a carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade for the military spectacle. She looked stunning in a white dress with navy trim by Jenny Packham, complemented by a wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat and a radiant Irish Guards brooch.

Crowds cheered as Kate waved from the glass coach that followed the carriage carrying King Charles and Queen Camilla to Horse Guards Parade. Camilla also wore a Philip Treacy hat, along with an Anna Valentine dress, reports the Mirror.

Other royals in carriages included the Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, and the Duke of Kent. Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward were seen riding on horseback.

During the parade, young Prince Louis became the centre of attention as he was spotted getting sidetracked by the festivities. He was seen cheekily tugging on the blind cords while his mother, Kate, kept a watchful eye on him.

Rather than focusing on the crowd, he amusingly pulled at the white cord by the window.

The playful prince then attempted to lift the large white window in the office, with the Duchess of Cambridge observing. Louis gritted his teeth and used both hands in an effort to push up the window, keen to get a better view from the balcony.

Later on, Louis was caught yawning during the parade, standing by the window in the Duke of Wellington's former office. With his head tilted back and hands behind him, he yawned widely while his sister Charlotte watched the proceedings with decorum.

However, determined to stay awake, he danced through the event. Louis swayed his hips and beamed, eliciting laughter from his mother Kate, while Charlotte seemed slightly vexed and whispered something to him.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that Kate would join her family for the celebration of the King's official birthday. In a heartfelt message, Kate spoke of experiencing "good days and bad days" during her preventative chemotherapy treatment.

Alongside her words, a stunning new photo taken by renowned celebrity and Royal photographer Matt Porteous was released.

The Princess has expressed her intention to "hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer" while she continues her cancer treatment "for a few months". It is believed that Kate's participation in Trooping was motivated by her desire to show solidarity with her children, her family, and her affection for the King, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer.

In a heartfelt message, she said: "I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days."

She further shared her experience: "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."

"I'm looking forward to attending The King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet. I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me."

Before her announcement, Royal insiders confirmed that the princess had personally spoken to the Kingwho is also receiving cancer treatment after his diagnosis in Februaryand expressed her desire to accompany him and the Royal family at the parade. A representative for the King conveyed that His Majesty was "delighted" about her planned presence.

Today marks Kate's first significant public outing since Christmas Day last year when she joined the Royal Family for a church service in Sandringham. In January, news broke that she had undergone major abdominal surgery, and then in March, through an emotional message, she disclosed her cancer diagnosis and the fact that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

Kate's schedule has been completely cleared for the remainder of the year as she undergoes treatment. The Princess was notably absent from the Colonel's Review on June 8, a key rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour parade.

As the honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, Kate expressed her regrets for not being able to attend in a heartfelt letter to the regiment, wishing them the best of luck.

While Kate has taken a step back from public engagements during her recovery period, Prince William has continued to carry out official duties. It was during these engagements that the Prince of Wales has provided some reassuring news about his wife's condition prior to today.

During a visit to a suicide prevention organisation in Newcastle this April, Prince William engaged with members of the public. Julie Cain, aged 60, inquired about the wellbeing of his family, prompting William to respond warmly: "All doing well, thank you. Yes, we're doing well."

More recently, at the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth, which he attended with King Charles and Queen Camilla, William offered another update. He indicated that Kate would have been delighted to be there.

A video shared on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, captured a moment where William, conversing with a veteran, seemed to confirm Kate's improving health by saying "she is" when asked if she was "getting any better".

The prince shared: "She'd love to be here today."

He recounted to the veteran that Kate's grandmother was employed at Bletchley Park during the Second World War and belonged to a cadre of women who "never spoke about anything until the very end", noting further: "It was all very secret."