Kings birthday parade a huge moment for Charles, Catherine and the family [Video]

It was the culmination of weeks of planning behind the scenes, with the King determined to make it by hook or by crook, and the princess desperate to support her family if she felt able.

Although preparations had been made in private, Catherine’s decision was not made public until less than 24 hours before Trooping the Colour began.

And it was only taken after the princess, who says she has “good days and bad days”, judged she had enough energy for the long outing.

“We don’t deal in ‘what ifs’,” said a Palace source, pointing out that while the princess had been keen to support her family, she could not be sure until the day that she was able.

The final decision, they added, was a reflection of her “huge amount of pride in the Irish Guards,” of …