Prince William and the Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour 2024© James Whatling

Royal photographer decodes Prince William and Kate's 'look of love' at Trooping - 'it wasn't fleeting'

Royal photographer James Whatling has been photographing the Wales family for many years

Website Editor
June 20, 2024

Royal photographer James Whatling has been covering the Prince and Princess of Wales for many years – and his latest royal venture was capturing Trooping the Colour on Saturday, which made waves all over the world as it marked Kate's first public appearance since Christmas Day.

James braved the torrential rain that fell over London on Saturday, but it was all worth it to capture an incredible moment between Prince William and his wife of 13 years, as he explains in the latest episode of A Right Royal Podcast, which you can listen to below.

LISTEN: A deep dive into Kate's 'unusual' health statement and her Trooping outing

William and Kate's sweet exchange

After hours of capturing the royals, from the procession down The Mall to the balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace, James explained to hosts Andrea Caamano and Emmy Griffiths, alongside HELLO!’s royal editor Emily Nash, why Prince William and Kate’s look of love was his favourite photo of the day.

© James Whatling

The Prince and Princess of Wales' three children played an important role in her comeback

“It's the look, the look between William and Kate,” he says.

“It happened over quite a few frames of it, because it wasn't fleeting. 

© Getty

Their sweet exchange wasn't fleeting

"If you look, you can look at the minutiae of it, because you're taking 20 frames a second and so it goes from a little look, and then Kate’s smile broadens, and it's lovely, and it's very much a welcome back,” he explains, before sweetly adding, “It’s good to have you back.”

Of the Wales’, he also said: “They're obviously a very strong unit.”

© James Whatling

James told hosts Andrea, Emmy and Emily that the Wales' are 'a strong unit'

Kate's much-anticipated return

The Princess, 42, made her much-anticipated return to the public eye last weekend, joining the royal family at the King's birthday parade.

© Getty

Kate rode in the Glass Coach carriage with her children

Kate shared the Glass Coach carriage with her three young children George, Charlotte, and Louis, and despite the heavy rain and wind, the family didn't let the poor weather dampen their spirits. 

Charlotte was seen wiping the carriage window to get a better view of the well-wishers on The Mall, while Louis' standout moment was him dancing on the balcony of the Major General's Office while watching the military parade.

WATCH: Prince Louis makes mum Kate giggle while dancing at Trooping the Colour

More from the podcast

Elsewhere in the episode, James gives his thoughts on why Queen Camilla might have been hurrying King Charles off the balcony after the flypast. 

We also talk to CNN anchor and correspondent Max Foster who gives his take on Kate’s ‘unusual’ statement and the significance of the photo taken by royal photographer Matt Porteous.

© Matt Porteous

Princess Kate released this image ahead of her appearance at Trooping

He also explains the real reason why Prince William is not in a rush to be King and why the Wales’ kids played a very important role in Kate’s public return.

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