The Queen celebrated her official birthday today with the annual Trooping the Colour parade. Large crowds turned out for the parade in Horse Guards Parade, central London and many were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex - exactly three weeks after they tied the knot. The newlyweds arrived in a horse-drawn carriage as part of the procession, which was attended by other senior royals including Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But it was Meghan who stole the show looking demure and elegant in a Carolina Herrera blush off the shoulder dress pairing the gorgeous gown with a glowing tan and bouncy waves. Meghan and Harry’s public appearance together followed media speculation in recent weeks they had been on honeymoon, although Kensington Palace has not provided details of any trip. The Queen cut a lonely figure as she arrived at the parade in an Ascot Landau without her husband, Prince Philip, by her side. He retired from public life last year and was last seen in public at the royal wedding of his grandson Prince Harry and Meghan in May. The monarch’s procession was accompanied by the royal colonels, all on horseback: Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, thePrincess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards. Also riding in the ceremony for the first time was the Duke of York in his new role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. Sadly a 79-year-old Field Marshal, Lord Guthrie, was thrown from his horse at the Trooping the Colour parade and was taken to hospital by ambulance. His condition is unknown at this stage. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined on the balcony of Kensington Palace by their young children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. However Prince Louis, born in April, did not make an appearance on the balcony and has not been seen in public since his birth. The balcony carried light-hearted mischief this year, as Savannah Philips, daughter of Peter Philip and granddaughter of Princess Anne, appeared to cover Prince George’s mouth, seemingly unimpressed by his rendition for the National Anthem. Here are the latest updates from the annual spectacle (all times in BST).
2.05pm update: Mum to the rescue All the excitement and atmosthere of the day seemed to have overwhelmed Princess Charlotte, as she was reassured and comforted by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, while they watched the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
PA Princess Charlotte is comforted by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge
1.29pm update: Wrong key George! It seems Savannah Philips, daughter of Peter Philip and granddaughter of Princess Anne, was far from impressed by Prince George’s rendition of the National Anthem as the youngsters waited on the Buckingham Palace balony for the Trooping the Colour celebrations to end. This is one way to stop his singing...
Savannah Phillips is not impressed by Prince George’s rendition of the national anthem. Princess Charlotte looks away... #TroopingtheColour #QBP2018 pic.twitter.com/E4pGRwO2Cd — Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) June 9, 2018
1.03pm update: Queen's celebrations culminate with RAF flypast The Queen’s birthday flypast took place over Buckingham Palace on Saturday as members of the royal family looked up to witness the annual event. The fly-past features the modern high-tech Typoon as well as Spitfires and Hurricanes.
Reuters Trooping the Colour: The Red Arrows display as the RAF flypast passes over Buckingham Palace
Reuters Members of the royal family look into the palace courtyard from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
12.57pm update: RAF flypast may be delayed A Field Marshal was thrown from his horse at the Trooping the Colour parade, the BBC has reported. Lord Guthrie, 79, was being taken to hospital by ambulance after initially receiving treatment at the scene. The Ministry of Defence told Express.co.uk they would not be commenting on the incident at this time as it would not be "appropriate."
Field Marshal Lord Guthrie, 79, thrown from his horse at #TroopingTheColour - may delay balcony appearance & RAF fly-past. ������ — Michael Rhodes (@migrhodes) June 9, 2018
12.32pm update: Royals gather on Buckingham Palace balcony Members of the royal family have started to gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony in anticipation of the RAF flypast at 1pm. The Duchess of Cambridge has taken her place in the middle of the balcony, along with the Duchess of Sussex - who is making her balcony debut - Prince Harry, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, Countess of Wessex and her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor.
Getty Trooping the Colour 2018: Members of the royal family have gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony
12.00pm update: Queen celebrated her actual birthday in April The colour trooped this year was the flag of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for battle. Colours, or flags, were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to "troop the colours", and in 1748 it was announced that the parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday. The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21 when she turned 92.
Getty Prince William and Prince Charles arrive at The Royal Horseguards
AFP/Getty Meghan is attending her first Trooping the Colour parade
Getty Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and he Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise
11.20am update: Queen makes solo appearance at Trooping the Colour parade The Queen made her entrance onto Horse Guards in an Ascot Landau after making the journey from Buckingham Palace. Her procession was accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, made up of Life Guards and Blues and Royals, in their silver and gold breastplates and plumed helmets. The 7,500 guests seated in stands lining the parade ground stood as a mark of respect as the monarch arrived and began inspecting the massed ranks of the troops. The Duke of Edinburgh, who celebrates his 97th birthday on Sunday, has retired from official public duties and did not attend. The monarch received a rousing cheer from the crowds in the Mall as her procession went past. She wore a sky blue coat and dress by Stuart Parvin and a hat by Angela Kelly.
AFP/Getty The Queen travelled in an Ascot Landau
11.14am update: Kate and Camilla travel together The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge were travelling in another carriage during the parade. While a third carriage carried Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, the Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise. Kate wore a dress by Alexander McQueen - her wedding dress designer - and a hat by Juliette Botterill. Camilla wore a blue silk dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield and a hat by Philip Treacy.
Getty Duchess Of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge during Trooping the Colour on the Mall
11.07am update: First time Duchess of Sussex experiences Trooping the Colour parade The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have joined the nation and the monarchy in celebrating the Queen's official birthday at theTrooping the Colour ceremony. Meghan experienced the pomp and pageantry of the event for the first time when she arrived on Horse Guards Parade with Harry in a carriage, along with the Queen's cousin the Duke of Kent. The couple were greeted by the sight of hundreds of Guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskins lined up on the parade ground - Henry VIII's former jousting yard - as the event began. The duke and duchess, who married exactly three weeks today, travelled from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to cheers from royal fans gathered in the famous London thoroughfare. The Duchess of Sussex wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy.
Reuters The Duchess of Sussex is enjoying her first Trooping the Colour parade
10.59am: The Queen has arrived at the Trooping the Colour The Queen has arrived at the Trooping the Colour parade. Her Majesty is travelling alone in a horse-drawn carriage, with no Prince Philip by her side. The monarch’s husband has officially retired from royal public duties. She was wearing a cornflower blue suit and matching hat as she attends celebrations for her official birthday.
PA The Queen cuts a lonely figure as she arrives at the Trooping the Colour parade
10.43am update: Members of the royal family start to arrive The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have left Buckingham Palace in a carriage en route to Horse Guards Parade, where the Trooping the Colour ceremony is soon to begin. Meghan, who is attending the royal event for the first time, and Harry were joined by the Duke of Kent. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall led the carriage procession travelling together in a coach. The crowds in the Mall cheered as Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, the Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise travelled past in the third carriage.
Reuters Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, take part in the Trooping the Colour parade
10.06am update: Trooping the Colour timetable These are the times for the Queen’s birthday parade today as the monarch celebrates her official birthday. 9.15am: Troops star forming up on Horse Guards Parade 10.45am: The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace in a grand procession escorted by the Household Cavalry 11am: The Queen arrives on Horse Guards Parade to take the royal salute. Her Majesty will then review Her Guards riding slowly down the ranks of foot guards and cavalry in a carriage. During the parade The Colour is Trooped through the ranks before the Foot Guards march past The Queen and then the Household Cavalry and Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery rank past. 12.20pm: The Queen, at the head of Her Guards, returns up The Mall to Buckingham Palace. At the gates of Buckingham Palace HM The Queen dismounts from the carriage and mounts a dais to watch the parade march past in salute. 12.52pm: Following the parade the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen’s official birthday. 12.55pm: The Queen and other members of the Royal Family make a balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace. 1pm: Fly past by the Royal Air Force
Trooping the Colour 2018: All the best pictures from the celebrations Sat, June 9, 2018 The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 66 Britain's Queen Elizabeth, along with other members of the British royal family
AFP/Getty Images Trooping the Colour LIVE: Members of the Irish Guards march to Horseguards parade
The Queen, who this week underwent successful surgery to remove a cataract, will watch proceedings from a dais.
Afterwards she will inspect the lines of guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskins.
Kate first attended the event in 2011, just two months after she married Prince William.
It marked her first ceremonial occasion as a member of the Royal family.
Being the Queen of England comes with many privileges, one of which is having two birthdays. While Elizabeth II was born in April, her annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour is today, and her whole family is at Buckingham Palace to celebrate. See all the photos from the day right here.
Despite technically being on maternity leave, the Duchess of Cambridge was front and center today at Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade. She looked lovely in a dress by Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette Botterill as she arrived by carriage to the celebration alongside Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. In fact, the two women's icy blue ensembles appeared to be quite color coordinated.
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See the pair chatting together below:
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Later today, we'll see them both up on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the rest of the royal family. While Meghan Markle, the newly named Duchess of Sussex, is making her debut at Trooping the Colour this year, Kate has attended several times. See a few photos of Kate at parades in the past below:
The whole Cambridge family on the balcony in 2017.
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Princess Charlotte made her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2016.
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Kate riding in to the 2015 celebration alongside Camilla.
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Kate and William sharing a laugh on the balcony in 2014.
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The 2011 Trooping the Colour parade took place not too long after Prince William and Kate tied the knot.
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While she is on maternity leave and taking a break from her public duties until later this fall to spend time with newborn Prince Louis, this isn't the last time we'll see Duchess Kate this summer. Prince Louis's christening is expected to take place later this summer.
In fact, it's an exciting time for the whole Middleton family, Kate's sister Pippa just publicly confirmed that she is expecting her first child with husband James Matthews. Read all about Pippa's pregnancy announcement right here.
