Duty & family mean everything to Kate and today’s appearance proves it – her smiling face made a rainy day worthwhile

THE Royals were one big happy family on the Buckingham Palace balcony as the Princess of Wales made an emotional one-off appearance.

This was a brave return to public life for Catherine, who has valiantly battled cancer for the last three months.

She did not have to be at Trooping the Colour and no one would have blamed her for staying away.

But she still chose to attend.

It is a measure of just how much her duty and family mean to her.

I have not seen the Princess of Wales in person since her last public engagement on Christmas Day, more than six months ago.

Today she looked very well and, crucially, very healthy too.

While the photo released on Friday by Kensington Palace was a solemn snap, today Catherine beamed with joy – her smile will undoubtedly warm the nation’s heart.

Accompanied by William, who has soldiered on alone while supporting his sick wife, and her adorable children, the whole group looked relaxed and united throughout one of the most important days of the year for the Royal Family.

It was also lovely to see Catherine exchanging words with her father-in-law King Charles.

Both of them battled hard to return to their duties and even through a long lens you can tell they have genuine warmth for each other.

The only downside was the classically British weather. It was cold. It was wet.

My jacket and my camera were soaked.

Next Thursday will be the longest day of the year but the driving rain made me feel like I was in the middle of January.

Yet the moment the Princess emerged to wave and smile, it made bearing the downpour worthwhile.

There were a lot of smart outfits on show – it was a military parade after all – but the Princess of Wales’ stunning white dress was a cut above everyone else’s.

Almost every camera there was fixed on her and with exceptional taste she picked out a dress that could be seen down The Mall by thousands of well-wishers.

This was a remarkable return by a remarkable woman and I'm sure it would’ve meant the world to have her family by her side.

So it’s no surprise that she didn’t stop smiling throughout.