KATE'S CAPTIVATING COMEBACK

The Princess of Wales thrills royal fans as she joins her family at the Commonwealth Day Service, along with VIP guests

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Walking side by side as they arrived at Westminster Abbey, the Prince and Princess of Wales looked the picture of happiness. Nearly 12 months after sharing her cancer diagnosis with the world, Kate was back at the heart of the royal family to mark Commonwealth Day.

She and the King, whose treatment for cancer is ongoing, were making their first appearance at the service – a staple in the royal calendar – since 2023. And this year’s theme, Together We Thrive, could not have been more fitting.

After a period of huge challenges for the royal family, they presented a reassuring display of unity.

The Prince greeted his father and stepmother with kisses on both cheeks, as did the Princess with the Queen, while the King turned to greet his sister the Princess Royal.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester completed the compact royal party.

How very different to last year’s event, where William and Camilla resolutely balanced their public duty with their serious private concerns for the notably absent Princess and monarch.

JOYFUL CELEBRATION

This year, the mood music was palpably lighter as the four most senior royals sang along to the hymn O Worship the King, All-Glorious Above, while young people carried the flags of the 56 Commonwealth member states through the congregation.

Their distinctive national costumes represented the diversity of the so-called "family of nations", which encompasses more than 2.7 billion people worldwide.