Seeing Kate at Trooping the Colour was truly ‘special’ moment, says soldier

Seeing Kate, the Princess of Wales, at the Trooping of the Colour was “really exciting” and a “special” moment, revealed the soldier who led the event.

The iconic annual celebration to mark King Charles’ official birthday took place on Saturday, and also marked the princess’ first public appearance since stepping back from public duties last Christmas due to an ongoing health issue. It was also Kate’s very first royal engagement since revealing she was undergoing chemotherapy back in March for an undisclosed form of cancer.

“It was really nice to see the Princess of Wales, and the children of course. It made the day even more special,” said Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew “Vern” Stokes, from Telford.

“We prepared for the princess, just in case,” said GSM Stokes.

“Then we found out [she would be attending] about an hour before the press release went out on Friday,” reports the BBC.

READ MORE:Kate Middleton’s advice to children captured by lip reader at Trooping the Colour

Featuring more than 1,000 soldiers of the Army’s Household Division, as well as a fly-over by the Red Arrows, the lavish celebration involved hundreds of military working horses and attracted thousands of viewers during the special celebration.

“The atmosphere is incredible,” said GSM Stokes. “When you’re on the parade ground, not only does everybody feel really special to be part of the day, but actually back home as well in living rooms, there’s about five million people watching on television.

“So it’s a really special day. Marching back to Buckingham Palace along the Mall, seeing all the union flags in the middle of this wonderful music, and tens of thousands of members of the public all cheering for the King, that is a really special moment,” he added.

It wasn’t just Trooping the Colour that was taking place under Major Stokes’ watchful eye either, as on Monday, GSM Stokes was also part of the annual Garter Day procession at Windsor Castle, which saw King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William all step out in full ceremonial attire for the historic ceremony.

“It’s full of the public, but it’s really intimate as well,” he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

“Everybody gets to see the King and the Queen, and other members of the royal family and the Garter knights really close, so it’s a lovely, intimate day.”