King Charles's 'orchestrated' move at Trooping the Colour sent powerful message about Kate

The balcony appearance made by members of the Royal Family on June 15 had added significance thanks to a choice made by King Charles, a royal commentator believes.

Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, claimed royal protocol normally sees the Prince and Princess of Wales standing together during appearances from the Buckingham Palace balcony, while King Charles and Queen Camilla stand closer to each other.

But on Saturday, as the country was marking the second birthday parade of King Charles, the monarch and Princess Kate were spotted standing side by side, with the Princess of Wales leaning towards the monarch multiple times to speak with him.

Speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, Mr Harrold said: "The protocol is that traditionally Kate and William would be standing next to each other and the King and Camilla standing next to each other.

"It is planned but it is also changing the 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 is all orchestrated but I have a feeling the King said to Kate ‘you stand next to me’.

"It was nice that Charles and Catherine were standing next to each other, they are very close and it showed they are supporting each other. I think it was a nice gesture and I’m sure William is pleased they were there beside each other."

Trooping the Colour marked the return to the public eye of Princess Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after tests following a major abdominal surgery she had in January found cancer had been present.

Hours before she made her first public appearance in six months, Kate issued a statement with an update on her health situation, candidly saying she is making "good progress" but is not "out of the woods" just yet.

King Charles, who is also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, expressed his "delight" at Princess Kate's attendance in a statement issued on Friday.

Buckingham Palace's message read: "His Majesty is delighted that the Princess is able to attend tomorrow's events, and is much looking forward to all elements of the day."

Princess Kate and King Charles's cancer diagnoses have likely brought the pair even closer in recent weeks.

In March, after Kate opened up about her treatment, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said His Majesty was "so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did", adding that he had remained "in the closest contact" with his "beloved daughter-in-law" after their surgeries.