Princess Kate's four-word instructions to George, Charlotte and Louis decoded by lipreader

Princess Kate was welcomed on her return to official royal duties today, as she attended the Trooping the Colour 2024 to mark King Charles's official birthday. Yet she was quick to give her children an important regal instruction during the event.

Kate beamed and waved at crowds as she was joined by her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade to watch the military fanfare.

On arriving at Horse Guards, Kate and her children all watched the parade from a building overlooking the parade ground. At one point, Kate issued her children with some instructions, according to lip reader, Nicola Hinckley.

As reported in the Mirror Kate appeared to say four important words: "You stay there, OK?" Kate also appeared to tell Charlotte: "Keep smiling and stay here for one moment."

However, shortly after watching the pageantry, Prince Louis appeared to be bored by the display of pomp and pageantry at Horse Guards Parade, and was also spotted playing with a blind cord. 

It seemed Kate had her hands full as the youngest child Louis got distracted during the ceremony on the balcony, and Kate watched his every move. Shortly after, Louis was seen yawning while standing watching the parade from the window at the Duke of Wellington's former office. The little prince lifted his head back, with his hands behind his back, as he had a big yawn, and then danced during the show. 

Travelling to and from the Horse Guards Parade, Kate sat in the Glass State Coach with her three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

Kate opted for a white dress with black trim detail by Jenny Packham and a large hat by Philip Treacy. Charlotte also matched the look of her mother by wearing a cute white bow in her hair. 

Charlotte and Louis also had a sibling moment as she told off her young brother. Charlotte appeared to tell him: "You have to stop doing that. Watch the parade", to which he replied: "I won't".

Trooping the Colour marked Kate's first public appearance this year, as she last stepped out on Christmas Day. She had to take a step back from public duties following major abdominal surgery in January and her subsequent cancer diagnosis. 

Her attendance had been in doubt, as Kate has kept a low-profile since bravely telling the world that she had been diagnosed with cancer, but last night she shared a deeply moving personal statement where she confirmed her attendance. 

Kate revealed she has "good days and bad days" undergoing gruelling chemotherapy for cancer but acknowledges she’s "not out of the woods yet". 

While she will not be returning to duties full-time, Kate does now feel well enough to undertake a small number of public engagements this summer.

She added in her statement: "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."