Kate Middleton Stuns Year After Year During the Queen's Birthday Celebrations
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It's an exciting weekend for the British royal family and particularly for Kate Middleton, who made her first official appearance since Princess Charlotte's birth at Saturday's Trooping the Colour ceremony. It's one of the royal family's many traditions, and the annual festivities mark the public celebration of the monarch's birthday. Although Queen Elizabeth II's actual birth date is April 21, the ceremony is held each Summer, as better weather is more likely.
The Duchess of Cambridge attended her first Trooping the Colour in 2011, just two months after she and Prince William tied the knot. That year, and each year since, Kate has joined Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in a carriage before standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony with her husband and the rest of the royal family to watch the flypast. She was pregnant with Prince George during the 2013 ceremony, and this year's appearance will be all the more special since she hasn't stepped out publicly since she and Will introduced their baby girl to the world in May. Keep reading to see Kate Middleton's Trooping the Colour appearances through the years, then find out what you can expect from Princess Charlotte's first year!
2011
Kate Middleton attended her first Trooping the Colour with the family in 2011, just a couple months after the royal wedding.
The 2011 festivities marked the first time Prince William wore the Irish Guards uniform after their nuptials.
Kate was all smiles as she and the family greeted crowds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
She and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall sat together in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Trooping the Colour parade.
As the family gathered on the balcony, Kate leaned in to talk to the younger girls.
She and Prince William shared a sweet moment as the royal family stood on the balcony.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall rode with Kate in a carriage during the Horse Guards Parade, while Prince William was in uniform and atop a horse.
Kate shared a sweet moment with Lady Louise Windsor during the flypast.
Prince Harry leaned in to chat with his sister-in-law during the 2012 Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh had Kate and Prince William laughing as they stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace that year.
2013
Kate glowed at the Trooping the Colour festivities in 2013, then pregnant with Prince George.
Prince Harry chatted with Will and Kate as they prepared for the flypast.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were all smiles during the Trooping of the Colour in 2013.
Prince Harry cracked up Kate as they rode together in a carriage during the festivities.
Harry, Kate, and Will looked up in unison during the flypast of military aircraft.
2014
Kate stunned at the Trooping the Colour in 2014, waving to the crowd as she rode in a carriage.
Once again, Prince Harry had Kate giggling as they stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
She flashed a big grin while standing on the balcony, all smiles as she stood beside the rest of the royal family.
Kate leaned in to chat with Estella Taylor and Lady Helen Taylor on the balcony during the 2014 Trooping the Colour.
The whole family got animated as they watched the flypast from the balcony.
Princes Will and Harry had a picture-perfect moment with Kate Middleton as they took part in the traditional Trooping the Colour festivities in 2014.
2015
Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, greeted the crowd with smiles at the 2015 Trooping the Colour.
Kate spent time with Prince William and Prince George at the 2015 Trooping the Colour. George got adorable during his first appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
She smiled widely while wearing a Catherine Walker dress and hat from Lock & Co. The 2015 Trooping the Colour marked Kate's first public appearance since giving birth to Princess Charlotte on May 2.