The Princess of Wales locked eyes with anti-monarchy demonstrators who booed her children as they rode past in a carriage at Trooping the Colour – then, on the Buckingham Palace balcony, issued a firm command to her fidgety youngest son.
Kate, travelling with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on Saturday, passed members of the group Republic, who had opened umbrellas decorated to spell out ‘Stop The Reign’ and jeered the family. She appeared to glare back at the protesters, keeping her cool and showing little emotion, according to onlookers.
“Princess Kate glares at anti-monarchy protesters and tells Louis to stand for anthem during Trooping.”
The King’s official birthday celebrations unfolded under grey skies but with the usual military pomp: more than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and over 200 horses paraded, and the Red Arrows performed a fly-past. Charles inspected the troops from a carriage and later saluted as the colours marched past.
Later, as the royal family gathered on the balcony after the fly-past, Prince Louis – who earlier had pulled at his collar and made William and Kate laugh when the Red Arrows flew over – became restless. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman told The Mirror that Kate turned to him and said: “National anthem. Louis, stand.” Louis adjusted his posture and focused on the singing.
Freeman also revealed a touching exchange among the three generations. As the aircraft flew overhead, William remarked to his father: “Oh my word, what a day.” Charles replied: “Great theatre.” Then, pointing at a plane, Charles asked: “What is that?” William guessed: “Errr, is that Poseidon?” Prince George chimed in: “It’s a Poseidon, yeah.”
Earlier, during the carriage ride along The Mall, Louis asked George: “Should I wave?” According to a lip reader quoted in The Sun, George replied: “It’s up to you, I can’t believe how sunny it is.” Louis then said: “Let’s do it together,” and the brothers waved to cheering crowds.
Republic, which organised the protest, campaigns to abolish the monarchy by an act of parliament, arguing that ceremonies like Trooping the Colour should become “a symbol of our heritage” rather than a reminder of “hereditary wealth and privilege.” The group’s current campaigns include abolishing royal secrecy, abolishing the Duchies, and cutting the royal budget, which it says sits around half a billion pounds.
For Kate, the day was a masterclass in composure – staring down dissent while keeping her children in line, one quiet command at a time.