Prince William's secret signal to Kate Middleton at huge royal event

The Prince of Wales shared a lingering look with his wife as she stepped out at Trooping the Colour 2024 - and it spoke volumes about their relationship, an expert has said

Prince William sent a secret message to his wife Princess Kate as she made her return to the public eye following her cancer diagnosis, according to a top photographer.

In June 2024, the Princess took part in the Trooping the Colour celebrations to mark King Charles's official birthday. It was her first appearance since announcing her health battle in March - and she was met with an outpouring of love as she joined her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace immediately after the parade.

As the family and the gathered crowd prepared to watch the flypast, William exchanged a lingering look with Kate - and it spoke volumes about their relationship, royal photographer James Whatling told HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast.

Asked about his favourite image from the day, he replied: "It's the look between William and Kate. It happened over quite a few frames, it wasn't fleeting. They're obviously a very strong unit. You can look at the minutiae of it, because you're taking 20 frames a second and so it goes from a little look and then Kate's smile broadens, and it's lovely, it's very much a 'welcome back', 'it's good to have you back'."

Kate looked elegant and stylish on the day in a recycled monochrome Jenny Packham dress, Jimmy Choo heels, a matching Philip Treacy hat and Mulberry clutch. And she was sending secret messages of her own with her choice of outfit, according to a fashion expert.

Megan Watkins, Head Stylist at online fashion retailer SilkFred, told the Express : "Staying true to her signature classic yet fashion-forward style, Kate stepped out in a monochrome Jenny Packham dress, Jimmy Choo pumps, a matching Philip Treacy wide-brimmed angular hat and Mulberry clutch. Here, she showed her eternal love of British brands, something she's always championed, which could be seen as a nod to her country's support during this hard time."

She further noted that Kate's outfit perfectly coordinated with Princess Charlotte, who wore a navy and white dress, white Mary Jane shoes, and a white bow on her hair. According to Ms Watkins, this mirroring between mother and daughter was designed to show "a strong sense of family unity and togetherness, perhaps signifying the ongoing support from her family".

And finally, the Princess of Wales's choice of dress was perhaps a bid to reassure the public of a brighter future. The style expert added: "Although her outfit had accents of black, it was mainly white, a colour that traditionally is a symbol of hope, purity and rebirth, perhaps hinting at better times to come.

"Although Kate has always loved a good monochrome moment, and therefore was staying true to her signature style - there was something more moving about eschewing colour on her first appearance since Christmas. Although it could perhaps suggest that she's not quite ready to dive into bold summer colours, I believe it was also a concerted effort to not take any attention away from the King."

Ms Watkins concluded: "Kate has always been a master of 'reading the room' with her fashion choices, and her outfits often feel like nothing is chosen without careful consideration, and her appearance at Trooping the Colour was no exception. The coordination with her children, going for a dress she's worn before and the choice of black and white showed a beacon of hope for the Princess, her love of family and why she will always be our formal fashion inspiration."