Key change King Charles made for Kate Middleton on the balcony at Trooping The Colour & fans are saying the same thing 

TROOPING the Colour was extra special this year thanks to the triumphant return of the Princess of Wales.

Princess Kate, 42, delighted royal fans appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony and King Charles made a key change this year to the line-up in honour of her return.

PA

King Charles and Princess Kate stood shoulder-to-shoulder at Trooping the Colour this year[/caption]

PA

Last year, Prince William was stood next to his father on the Buckingham Palace balcony[/caption]

Saturday’s annual military parade was the first official royal event Kate had attended since Christmas Day, following her cancer diagnosis.

The royal mum was joined by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they rode in a carriage during the parade.

They were then joined by Prince William and other royals as they gathered to watch the Royal Air Force’s spectacular flypast.

Last year, King Charles was front and centre as he watched the display next to his son, and heir to the throne, Prince William.

However, the line-up was swapped this year so the monarch could stand next to his beloved daughter-in-law.

Both King Charles and Princess Kate are undergoing treatment for cancer, and heartwarming photos showed them standing shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the crowds.

The royal pair appeared united as they beamed and watched fans gathered down The Mall.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun: “What I think the image I think so many people will have is of Catherine standing next to King Charles on the balcony.

“Here though, that relationship was highlighted to illustrate how those bonds have only deepened and enriched by their bonds of empathy created by their illnesses.

“This can be interpreted as a gesture of solidarity and support from Charles to Catherine.”

Fans shared their reaction to the new line-up, with one person writing: “While last year, King Charles stood next to Prince William, this time, the monarch proudly stood next to a beaming Princess Kate. 

“The royal duo appeared more united than ever as they marvelled at the huge crowds trickling down the Mall.”

We previously shared how Princess Kate shared an “emotional” lunch with King Charles just before she told the public about her cancer diagnosis.

The Princess of Wales announced on Friday she would be making a comeback for the Monarch’s birthday celebrations.

PA

Royal fans were delighted with Kate’s return[/caption]

princeandprincessofwales/Instagram

PA

Kate and William shared a sweet moment as they stood on the balcony for the flypast[/caption]

Rex

Kate looked show-stopping in a white Jenny Packham dress and matching wide-brim hat[/caption]

The mum-of-three has not been seen with the Royal Family since Christmas Day last year at Sandringham.

She 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.

The Princess said the diagnosis had come as a “huge shock” – but vowed: “I am well and getting stronger every day”.

Ahead of Trooping the Colour, 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.

“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.”

AP

Kate announced in March she was undergoing preventative cancer treatment[/caption]