Prince William, Kate and their kids join King and Queen at Trooping the Colour
After an uncertain time leading up to last year’s Trooping the Colour, the royals certainly put on a dazzling display this time around.
IN LONDON
The Princess of Wales has made a stunning appearance in turquoise, smiling and waving at the crowds from an open carriage at Trooping the Colour.
Kate was beaming ear to ear on Saturday at the high-profile event in a dress coat by Catherine Walker, a Juliette Botterill hat, Irish Guards regimental brooch, and earrings which had belonged to the late Queen.
She was joined by Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 9 as she made her way down the Mall toward the Horse Guard’s Parade.
Prince William, along with Prince Edward and Princess Anne, travelled on horseback as part of the military procession.
On Friday night, it was confirmed by the Palace that members of the royal family would be wearing black armbands during today’s event, a modification ordered by King Charles himself in the wake of the Air India tragedy.
241 people lost their lives, including 52 British nationals, when their plane heading to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in India.
The royal family and those gathered at the military parade also observed a minutes’ silence to pay respect to the victims.
Meanwhile, the King was also travelling in a carriage during the parade for the second year in a row.
He was joined by Queen Camilla, who was dressed in a white silk embroidery dress by Anna Valentine with a matching Philip Treacy hat.
He’d resurrected the practice of horseback riding for his first Trooping the Colour as King back in 2023, marking the first time a monarch had ridden since the late Queen did so back in 1986.
However, it was recently reported that following a year of health challenges amid his cancer battle, he has now decided to step away from the saddle for good.
Trooping the Colour is among the most high-profile entries on the royal calendar, and has been performed in celebration of the British monarch’s birthday for over 260 years.
The ceremonial parade includes more than 1400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians in a grand display of military fanfare.
The royals later travelled with the procession back to Buckingham Palace, where they emerged for their traditional appearance on the balcony to watch the spectacular Red Arrows flypast display.
Louis excitedly waved to the crowds as they took in the incredible display, with thousands cheering on the street below.
The flypast, in honour of the monarch’s official birthday, is particularly significant - and representative of the King’s passionate environmentalism - as two environmentally-friendly fuels were used for the first time.
A different affair last year
There was a lot more ease among royal watchers heading into today’s high-profile event, after the uncertainty that surrounded last year’s parade, which came while both the King and Kate were battling cancer.
Just hours before the event took place, the Princess of Wales – who at that point had been absent from public life for nearly three months as she underwent chemotherapy – released a heartfelt message confirming she would be attending alongside her family.
Her reappearance in the spotlight saw her greeted with a huge roar from the massive crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace and along The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade.
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