Kate Middleton is finally back. The Princess of Wales made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis during Trooping the Colour, and royal fans were naturally overjoyed. The 42-year-old appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony with the other senior royals, and a professional lipreader even managed to figure out what she told her children.

It’s been a long recovery process for Kate MIddleton, and time will tell whether this weekend marked her return proper to royal life. Some royal experts have warned her to take it slow in her recovery, while her legion of fans worldwide are keen to see her back in action.

If the Princess of Wales could choose, we’re sure she would love to resume her everyday life, which includes dropping her children off at school and completing her daily engagements for the Crown. So just why did she opt to attend the Trooping the Colour in the first place? Well, according to one royal expert, there is one apparent reason – and it’s as beautiful as you might expect.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

In mid-March, Kate Middleton revealed to the world that she had received a shock cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales had been outside of the spotlight since January when she underwent abdominal surgery, and conspiracy theories surrounding her health ran rampant online.

Kate Middleton – royal return at Trooping the Colour

While Kate’s cancer diagnosis statement was worrying, the public were finally given some answers as to why she had been kept outside the spotlight for so long. As of last week, it was approaching the three-month mark since Kate’s statement, and with Trooping the Colour creeping closer, a report from the Daily Mail stated that the Princess was “considering” making an appearance at the monarch’s birthday celebration.

While there remained plenty of skeptics, Kate broke her silence on Friday and confirmed that this year’s Trooping the Colour would mark her first official appearance for half a year.

In a lengthy statement, the Princess of Wales announced that she was looking forward to attending the annual ceremony.

“I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times,” Kate said.

The Princess of Wales continued: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. 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.”

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.”

“Thank you so much for your continued understanding”

“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.”

She concluded: “I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”

On Saturday, the Princess of Wales was photographed arriving at Trooping the Colour. Sitting in a car alongside her husband, Prince William, and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, Kate wore a white dress with a black bow and a white hat, her hair in a bun.

When she and her children later rode in a carriage — while William was on horseback – Kate was seen grinning and waving to the excited crowd standing along the road. But while she looked happy, one body language expert has argued that the princess was “nervous” and taking things slow.

Royal expert Inbaal Honigman told the Daily Star: “Princess Catherine’s closed-mouth smile as she arrives in the car with her family indicates that she is being cautious.

Neil Mockford/GC Images

“Compared with previous years, where the Princess would flash a wholehearted, toothy smile of happiness, this occasion reveals a more careful Catherine, smiling with her lips, cheeks and eyes, but not with her teeth. This demonstrates caution, but there are signs that her happiness is genuine.”

Kate Middleton – balcony appearance

The body language expert concluded: “The raised eyebrows when she smiles, suggest that she is happy, even excited, and as she peeks out of the car, we can see that she’s glad to connect with the expecting crowds outside. Her shoulders are slightly raised, which suggests that she’s nervous.”