A young Royal superfan has spoken of his thrill at catching Trooping the Colour at the weekend - and seeing the welcome return of Princess of Wales to public life.
Lewis Langstaff-Wood of Witton-le-Wear, near Bishop Auckland, enjoyed a prime position on the route and managed to capture the royal family on parade as well as on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The 15-year-old, who is a student at St John's Catholic School & Sixth Form College, in Bishop Auckland, enjoys combining his love for photography with his passion for the royal family.
He was in London to see The Princess of Wales make a triumphant return to public life in the midst of her cancer treatment, as she joined the royal family to celebrate the King’s official birthday.
Kate and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, were cheered by crowds in The Mall as they left Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
After spending much of the year coming to terms with the diagnosis and receiving ongoing chemotherapy, the future queen looked relaxed as she travelled along one of London’s most famous thoroughfares with her family in the glass state coach.
Her appearance was in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal last weekend, but with the King also suffering from cancer the spectacle of military pomp and pageantry became a symbolic statement by the monarchy after a period of uncertainty.
She was surrounded by other members of the family, with her husband the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, on horseback, as were the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
The King also rode in a carriage with the Queen, a departure from last year because of his illness, and inspected the officers and guardsmen on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall from the coach rather than from a horse.
Lewis said: "It was a good day, apart from the rain. At one point it was awful - I don't think I have experienced rain like that in my life. It was like four seasons in ten minutes.
"It was thrilling to be there."
He added: "I have an interest in the monarchy and am passionate about it. I love doing photography and every time I go to royal events, I try and photograph them.
"I was right next to the barriers (on Saturday) because a friend saved a spot for me. I used my stool to get a better vantage point.
"It was very exciting - specially with Princess Catherine's return - it was fun to photograph that and all the horses."
Lewis, who uses a Sony A6500, has previously taken photographs at the Coronation, the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle, and Prince William's recent visit to the North East.
He had the pleasure of meeting the King in 2022 and Prince William on his visit to the region.
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