The Princess of Wales kept her composure during Saturday’s Trooping the Colour parade as anti-monarchy protesters jeered from the sidelines in central London. Kate, 44, rode in the Ascot Landau with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, as the royal procession travelled from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back. According to Hello!, banners reading "Stop the Reign" were held aloft while chants of "not my King" and "not my Queen" rang out, but Kate answered the moment with a brief, cool glance.
Kate Travels with George, Charlotte and Louis
The Princess appeared alongside her three children in one of the day’s most closely watched carriage appearances. She wore a blue Catherine Walker outfit with a matching wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat for the occasion, while the young royals sat beside her as crowds lined the route. The annual military ceremony marks King Charles’s official birthday, even though his actual birthday falls on 14 November. The occasion drew thousands into London, with spectators gathering early to watch the procession, the parade ground display and the later balcony appearance.
Republic Protesters Chant Near The Mall
The demonstration was staged by anti-monarchy group Republic, which had planned a visible protest near Buckingham Palace. Police instructed campaigners to remain in a designated area on The Mall during the ceremony. The Metropolitan Police said the restrictions were intended to ensure the event "passes off without serious disruption and with minimal disturbance to horses." Republic objected to the limits and argued they reduced the protest’s visibility to the royal family. The group has long campaigned to abolish the monarchy and used the day to press its criticism in front of the large public turnout.
Prince Louis Draws Attention at the Palace
Later, Kate and her children joined senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the traditional flypast. Prince William stood with them, alongside the King and Queen, Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence, as well as members of the wider family including the Edinburghs, the Gloucesters and the Duke of Kent. Prince Louis again provided one of the lighter moments of the day. As reported by Hello!, he was seen ducking down to peer through a half-open window before leaning sideways for a better look at the aircraft overhead.
Military Flypast Closes the Royal Celebration
The aerial finale arrived in 10 waves and brought a dramatic end to the public ceremony. Typhoon jets, Chinook helicopters, C-17 military transport aircraft and four F35-B jets crossed above the palace, before the Red Arrows streamed red, white and blue smoke across the sky. The area directly in front of Buckingham Palace was kept clear of spectators as the family watched from above. Even with the protest noise earlier in the day, Kate’s calm presence and the children’s balcony appearance helped keep focus on the pageantry at the heart of the King’s birthday celebration.
