Kate Middleton and Prince William exuded royal elegance during the Trooping the Colour 2026 event on Saturday, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla in a stately appearance.
Middleton captivated onlookers in a chic powder-blue dress by Catherine Walker, complemented by a coordinating wide-brimmed hat crafted by Philip Treacy. Her ensemble added a touch of sophistication to the ceremonial procession at Buckingham Palace, celebrating the king’s birthday.
Her accessories included Cassandra Goad’s pearl floral burst earrings, a stylish choice she also favored earlier this year for the installation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. These earrings first made their debut in 2018 at her youngest son, Prince Louis’s christening, as noted by Town and Country.
King Charles and Queen Camilla made their entrance in a horse-drawn carriage, dressed in harmonized red ceremonial outfits. Charles donned a military uniform adorned with medals, while Camilla opted for a red coatdress paired with a feathered navy hat.
Following the king’s carriage, Prince William, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne participated in the traditional royal procession, riding on horseback through the heart of London.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — who have famously fallen out with the family and quit their duties as working royal family members in 2020 — were again absent from the event, opting to stay home in Southern California.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal title last year, also did not attend.
Prince Harry and Markle last attended the event at Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, though they watched the military parade from a balcony with other non-working royals rather than participate in the carriage procession or appear on the balcony.
Following their exit from the royal family and move to Montecito, California, the couple expanded their family to include Princess Lilibet, now 5, along with Prince Archie, now 7.
Despite shaky relations with the royal family, Prince Harry — who recently celebrated his eight anniversary with Markle — hopes to bring his wife and children to England within weeks, where he’s promoting his 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.
A source told Page Six that he will not, however, see Prince William amid the ongoing rift.
The Prince and Princess of Wales looked equally chic at last year’s event, with Middleton, 44, wearing a sharply tailored aquamarine blue look alongside Princess Charlotte’s similarly colored flutter sleeve dress.
Prince Louis and Prince George joined the traditional festivities in dark colored suits and red ties, while Prince William, 43, donned a red jacket with royal regalia — nearly identical to his father’s red coat.
Queen Camilla, meanwhile, opted for a white look with a matching white fascinator.
Middleton was seen riding in a royal carriage with her three children at the summer event, at one point sharing a laugh with them.
Middleton’s appearance at last year’s Trooping the Colour came several months after she announced she’s in remission after her cancer diagnosis, which she divulged in 2024.
Trooping the Colour marks the birthday of King Charles III — though his birthdate is actually Nov. 14 — and is celebrated for its iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearance from royal family members.
Middleton and Prince William’s appearance at Trooping the Colour comes after the couple came face-to-face with her ex Rupert Finch at a family wedding last weekend.
The exes, along with their respective spouses, both attended the nuptials of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling in the Cotswolds.
Prince William is cousins with Phillips.
King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and Phillips’ sister Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall attended the church wedding, as well.
Middleton and Finch — who has since married Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs — dated briefly back in 2001, when both were attending St. Andrews.
Middleton famously went on to date Prince William — after she famously caught his eye at a 2002 fashion show — before marrying him in 2011.