A hand on the shoulder, and the other signs that might be missed by the untrained eye... but point to Kate's recovery: REBECCA ENGLISH

After the year they have had, it was probably as close to the ‘new normal’ for the Royal Family that we are going to get, for the time being at least. Kate's appearance at the Emir of Qatar's ceremonial welcome made us all realise how much the Princess of Wales had been missed, since she stepped back from public life for cancer treatment It was a tonic to see Kate looking so happy and well, Prince William just once discreetly laying a comforting hand on her shoulder but otherwise happily letting his wife get on with what she does best - shine Britain's future king and queen at an official royal engagement at Horse Guard's Parade on November 3 Instead of several tables running a third of the length of the room, there were just two - as if the organisers were quietly keen to keep things moving at slightly more rapid pace. The Royal Family turned out in full force today to welcome the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher All eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she returned to the public eye in her most significant official role since her shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year A source tells me: ‘It’s just a question of adaptions given the particular challenges of this year. King Charles and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were pictured while inspecting a Guard of Honour Kate's warm smile and dazzling sense of style were missed. She is pictured in a stunning burgundy ensemble for the elite occasion The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher arrive for a tour of Westminster Abbey earlier today Queen Camilla met the royal party inside Buckingham Palace following lingering side effects from a nasty case of pneumonia The King and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inspect a Guard of Honour King Charles travels in the Irish State Coach with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher along The Mall to Buckingham Palace today The Princess of Wales attends the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade today It’s worth noting that we are now on our seventh Prime Minister in under a decade, and only our second head of state in 70 years.