The silhouette, the smile. Why nobody does it like Kate: LIZ JONES

Here come the girls! Wasn’t that a great sight on Sunday?

The Princess of Wales on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, flanked by her younger sister, Pippa, and her daughter, Charlotte. Charlie’s Angels. Kate’s first solo performance since announcing her cancer diagnosis.

It was like the Spice Girls were back together and making a comeback.

The biggest boost to the national psyche was seeing the Princess at her best – smiling, graceful and courteous, writes Liz Jones

Girl power amid a whirlwind of testosterone, with the men’s singles final about to begin and the football final later that evening.

We know what Kate wore: the Cecilia midi dress by Safiyaa of London. The LK Bennett bag. The Victoria Beckham sunglasses. All much-needed support for our economy. Even Charlotte’s sunglasses made for a bargain hunt.

By Monday morning, desperate mothers were already taking to social media asking for details, while their daughters were asking for a pair (it was a Ray-Ban pair, by the way).

But the biggest boost for the national psyche was seeing the princess at her best: smiling, graceful and courteous.

Celebrities including Tom Cruise, Benedict Cumberbatch and Julia Roberts received a standing ovation from the 15,000 spectators at Wimbledon when she arrived.

I can’t think of anyone who would elicit such a genuinely warm response or who would rub so many celebrities the wrong way.

Not Taylor Swift – too ubiquitous. Not Meghan – too divisive.

The applause was a release of tension, a collective sigh of relief that Kate is okay and all is right with the world. And also a very clear sign that she is truly loved.

My favorite photos of the day weren’t the action shots taken on the track, but the ones where Pippa and Charlotte looked up at Kate in awe and admiration.

Sister and daughter looked so proud, grateful to be there as silent moral support. Charlotte would have been a huge comfort during her mother’s treatment.

Charlotte would have been a great comfort during her mother’s treatment

A-list celebrities Tom Cruise and Benedict Cumberbatch at the Wimbledon final played on Centre Court

Sisters and mothers around the world would have given each other extra hugs upon seeing these three girls.

This vision of Kate—the dimples, the easy smile, the auburn hair, the lively conversation with the ball girls and boys at the awards ceremony (what on earth does she find to say? How can she never look bored?)—was like the sun rising on a dark, confusing moment.

Kate’s appearance on Sunday may have seemed like a jolly affair to some. An easy ride from limo to a seat in the Royal Box. No ticket needed, no car parking, no queues.

But who would want to be put in the spotlight after such a difficult few months?

The courage she showed just by showing up was unprecedented.

And to rise to the occasion with such grace and gentle charm took a courage that reminded me of the late Queen Mother walking through the rubble of the East End during the Blitz.

Kate knew it was her job to be there, to be elegant and stoic at a difficult time – by wearing purple, a colour both regal and quintessentially Wimbledon.

We had to see her and cling to her like a rubber band during a tsunami.

The photo she published of Charlotte and little Louis in their England shirts, watching the European Championship final later that evening, was understated. Nothing was over the top.

It was normal. And my God, we need normal now.

She has the toughest job in the world. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Kate can’t look tired, badly dressed, wrinkled, angry, impatient, or anything other than happy. She can’t show her cracks.

The late Queen Elizabeth knew this. Every chink in the armor is now being attacked by astute social media warriors.

Kate’s appearance last Sunday, so cheerful in this damp, cold summer, reminded us how much we have missed her.

The silhouette, the sincere smile.

If she can do it, so can we. We can get out of bed, breathe in and out, get dressed, show up, try to look our best, keep going.

Kate did a great job, and we can too.