King Charles and Princess Kate have grown close over the years – and their bond may have been made even stronger by their mutual health problems this year.
Both the monarch and his daughter-in-law have had to spend time away from the public eye battling cancer, with the pair being diagnosed just a month apart.
In mid-June, as the pair both began to make public appearances again after undergoing treatment, the royals made an appearance at Trooping the Colour.
As is tradition, the family gathered on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowds below – with the king breaking royal protocol to have Kate stand next to him – the Mirror reports.
The previous year, the king has stood next to his son, Kate’s husband Prince William.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, former royal butler Grant Harrold said: “It is changing protocol to show the King and Kate united with each other and going through similar battles, so I would say this is down to the King’s preference.
“The balcony [line-up] is orchestrated, so I have a feeling the King said to Kate, ‘You stand next to me.’”
It is thought the move may have been a mark of respect from the King towards the Princess, who had chosen his official birthday to return to the public eye.
During the event, Kate was seen whispering a comment to Charles, leading to him laughing.
The pair have previously fondly expressed fondness and support for each other.
In March, after Kate released a video message confirming her diagnosis to the world, Charles release a statement saying he was ‘so proud’ of her ‘for her courage in speaking as she did’.
He went on to describe her as his ‘beloved daughter-in-law’.
Charles is understood to have made efforts to bring Kate into the family fold early in her relationship with his son, and she has been overheard calling the monarch ‘Grandpa’.
