Incredible lengths Kate Middleton went to to keep her return to limelight a secret

Princess Kate made her highly-anticipated return to the public eye at the 2024 Trooping the Colour - but she was determined to keep it under wraps until the last minute

When the Princess of Wales stepped out for Trooping the Colour in 2024, she made headlines around the world. It was the first time that Kate had been seen since sharing the news of her cancer diagnosis - and she made every effort to ensure her return was kept under wraps.

There were only a few people who knew of her plans. The Princess personally called her father-in-law, King Charles - also undergoing cancer treatment - to tell him the good news, and he was understandably 'delighted' she could attend.

Well aware of the buzz that would surround her return, Kate wanted to keep things low-key - and that approach even extended to her wardrobe. Rather than shop around for a new dress - news of which could be made public - she chose to upcycle a white dress she first wore on the eve of King Charles' coronation last year.

The simple white and black dress by British designer Jenny Packham was updated with black trim and ribbon embellishment on the neckline, as well as a black belt, and she wore a hat by Philip Treacy, and her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore pearl studs — previously worn to Prince Louis' christening in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2023.

Reusing the dress not only made a sustainable fashion statement, but it also served another purpose.

"Just by reworking what she already owns, it allowed Kate to keep this secret [of her appearance] within her very closest and most trusted team," said Bethan Holt, Fashion Director at the Telegraph.

“We definitely know that Kate has tailors in house to help make something fit her perfectly, and they could have easily added the new belt and that bow detail at the neckline, so Jenny Packham may not have even known Kate was going to re-wear the dress."

However, Holt further noted that Packham is one of Kate's 'most trusted' designers - demonstrated by the fact Kate has worn a custom Packham dress every time she left hospital with each one of her newborn children. "Those are very intimate, important moments, so it’s a natural decision that Kate would turn to Jenny once again," the fashion director noted.

According to Page Six, behind the scenes on the day of the parade, staff at both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace worked together to ensure there would be appropriate contingencies if Kate felt unwell or unable to travel, given that it was her first public event in six months and the fact she was still undergoing chemotherapy.

But aside from those closest to Kate, there was one other person who likely knew of her return - royal photographer Matt Porteous. The Princess called upon Matt for a special photoshoot at her Adelaide Cottage home in order to share an update with well-wishers.

The final image showed the mum-of-three dressed down in jeans, a white T-shirt, brown blazer and trainers, leaving against a tree as she takes in the Windsor countryside.

It was released just 24 hours before the Trooping celebrations - and it was only then that Kate confirmed she would be attending. In a deeply personal message to accompany the photo, she wrote: "I'm looking forward to attending the King's Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days," she said. "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well."