Kate Middleton Comes Out in White Dress for Trooping the Colour

LONDON — Kate Middleton has stepped out for her first public appearance this year at Trooping the Colour.

The Princess of Wales wore a white dress to the annual event that takes place on Horse Guards Parade near the City of Westminster.

The dress features black and white bow that matched her wide white brim hat and white pearl earrings.

Her last public appearance as a member of the British royal family was on Christmas Day last year.

On Friday, the princess took to social media to share the announcement of her slow return to the public eye. In a statement, she expressed her gratitude for the support she’s received and offered an update on her health.

“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,” she said.

Her statement also featured a photo of the Princess of Wales in dark blue jeans, a white shirt and taupe blazer standing outside by a large tree and looking skyward. The image was captured by photographer Matt Porteous.

Trooping the Colour is a key affair for the royal family and it’s often a celebratory one.

The event, which often takes place in June, is a parade that commemorates and celebrates the birthday of the monarch.

The Princess of Wales often supports homegrown designers at Trooping the Colour such as Stella McCartney, Erdem and Alexander McQueen, but last year, she made a surprising choice by wearing an Andrew Gn design.

She wore an emerald green coatdress with a satin trim to represent her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, with a matching hat by Philip Treacy.

The dress featured blue jeweled embellishments that matched her sapphire engagement ring and earrings which belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Below, see more of Kate Middleton’s style at Trooping of the Colour through the years.