King Charles makes emotional admission to Camilla during carriage ride

King Charles was overwhelmed with emotion as his annual birthday parade kicked off today.

The monarch, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, left Buckingham Palace for the event in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla this morning. It is understood the King was advised by doctors to conduct the Trooping the Colour review from the Ascot Landau carriage, instead of on horseback as he did last year.

Charles, 75, smiled and waved at the crowds at The Mall as the rain poured down across London, but refused to dampen royal spirits. His daughter-in-law Princess Kate, 42, travelled in a carriage behind them with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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Charles and Camilla were seen in discussion as they took in the magnificent sights and the King made a touching admission to his wife about the celebrations. According to lip reader, Nicola Hinckley, Charles said to Camilla in the carriage: “Oh dear, I don’t know why I’m feeling rather tearful.”

As the King finished the military parade with a salute, he appeared to stop himself from tearing up once again. Later, he was joined by members of his family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the incredible RAF flypast, which was another monumental moment.

It has been a busy time for the King, who earlier in the week appeared at the King’s Foundation inaugural awards ceremony alongside celebrities, including Sir Rod Stewart and David Beckham. He also conducted a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Monday where he paid tribute to the “professionalism, courage and humour” of the Irish Guards ahead of the regiment’s central role in Trooping the Colour today.

Charles’ words of praise came as he presented new colours to Number 9 and 12 Companies, Irish Guards, during a Windsor Castle ceremony, where he highlighted the regiment’s efforts during the Covid pandemic and “vital work to counter terrorism in Iraq and to bolster security across Africa”.

Last week his busy schedule saw him head to Portsmouth as well as Normandy for commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. However, Prince William stood in for him at one event during the commemorations after it was ruled a “step too far” amid his cancer treatment. It saw William attend an international event at Omaha Beach with world leaders including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

A palace source said last week: “While His Majesty’s doctors are very encouraged with the progress made so far, the King is continuing with his treatment programme – and thus we have to prioritise and protect his continued recovery. On that basis, each event/day has to be carefully calibrated – and given the King’s other commitments on the day, it was advised that the international event later in the afternoon may be a step too far at this stage. He is of course delighted that the Prince of Wales will be attending to represent the nation.”

It was announced yesterday that Princess Kate would be attending the celebration of the King’s official birthday with her family. In a statement released by the Palace, Kate said she has “good days and bad days” amid her preventative chemotherapy treatment. A beautiful new photograph, taken by celebrity and royal photographer Matt Porteous, was shared with her message.

The Princess added that she “hopes to join a few public engagements over the summer” as she continues treatment for cancer “for a few months”. It is understood Kate wanted to take part in Trooping to show support to her children, her family and her love for the King. A spokesperson for Charles said His Majesty was “delighted” by the news of her attendance.

Trooping the Colour is held every year as an official birthday event for the monarch, even though Charles’ actual birthday is November 14. Anti-monarchy campaigners have announced they will protest outside Buckingham Palace during the traditional ceremony. Graham Smith, spokesman for the group Republic, said: “Rather than having the parade to celebrate Charles’s birthday, why not use the moment to celebrate the service given by our armed forces?”