The Princess of Wales marked a significant change at yesterday's Trooping the Colour by taking her place on the dais alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.
After arriving in a carriage with her three children, Kate assumed her position as Colonel of the Irish Guards whilst Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined other royals including the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The positioning represented a notable shift from last year's ceremony, where she was unable to take up her ceremonial position whilst receiving cancer treatment and instead watched on with her children.
Kate's placement next to the King and Queen on the parade ground highlighted her senior status within the Royal Family as she watched the Irish Guards march past.
Princess Kate returned to a central role during Trooping the Colour after missing out last year.
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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond described the positioning as highly significant.
"I thought it was highly significant to see Catherine on the dais alongside the King and Queen," she told The Mirror.
"She was there not only as a very senior member of the Royal Family but as Colonel in Chief of the Irish Guards as they marched by.
"It was a very powerful image of our next Queen alongside her father-in-law who has made no secret of the respect he has for Catherine, especially after the cancer journey they have shared."
The Princess of Wales stood alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla on the dais during the ceremony.
BBC
"It certainly gave you the feeling that royal life is pretty much back on track after the scary past 18 months," Bond added
The balcony appearance also reflected a return to traditional protocol. Whilst Kate stood next to King Charles during last year's RAF flypast, Prince William took that position yesterday.
"I think the fact that William stood next to his father on the balcony was a signal that things are returning to normal," the expert explained.
"Last year was an exception, with the Princess of Wales taking on her first public duty since her cancer diagnosis, and I think the King was showing his special support for her by asking her to stand alongside him."
Bond felt Kate's placement on the balcony signalled royal affairs were 'returning to normal'.
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Bond noted that Saturday's ceremony demonstrated a broader return to normality for the Royal Family.
"It was the correct order and, in a way, that was quite reassuring," she said.
The royal expert also praised the Princess's appearance during the carriage procession.
"It was genuinely joyful to see Catherine looking so well, so dazzlingly elegant and so happy with her children in the carriage," Bond explained.
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"Everyone was on their best behaviour and, in the glorious sunshine, it was a treat for the huge crowds who turned out to see the pageantry and the Royal Family on parade."
After the celebrations, The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a new family photograph on Instagram.
The image shows William and Catherine with their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - in what appears to be a relaxed, behind-the-scenes moment.
The post was captioned: "Another brilliant day at Trooping the Colour for His Majesty's Birthday Parade. Thank you to everybody who came, and to all those who took part."
The photograph was taken with the family still wearing their outfits from the day's events, capturing a personal moment after the formal proceedings had concluded.
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