King Charles seemingly broke a royal tradition at the Trooping the Colour in June to send a special message to his beloved daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton. According to royal expert Grant Harrold, the monarch chose this key occasion to demonstrate his appreciation for Kate’s support, especially considering her ongoing battle with cancer.
Instead of standing beside Prince William, Kate stood next to King Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony, an unexpected shift in protocol. Speaking with OK! Magazine, Harrold explained that this decision was likely a personal choice by the King to publicly show his solidarity with Kate.
“It is changing the protocol to show the King and Kate united with each other and going through similar battles, so I would say this is down to the King’s preference,” Harrold said. He added, “The balcony [line-up] is orchestrated, so I have a feeling the King said to Kate, ‘You stand next to me.’”
This change in positioning was seen as a clear indication of how important Kate was to King Charles and how he wanted to show his support during her challenging time. Kate, who had been undergoing preventative chemotherapy, made a special appearance at the event. She later resumed her royal duties after completing her treatment, marking her return at Remembrance Sunday.
Meanwhile, King Charles continues his royal responsibilities, even as he battles an undiagnosed form of cancer. His public duties continue as he navigates his own health struggles, demonstrating his resilience while showing appreciation for the family members who have supported him, including Kate.