The royal children were in good spirits today as they arrived in a carriage for their grandfather’s first ever birthday parade.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis along with their mother the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla traveled to the Horse Guards Parade for the Trooping the Colour.
They waved enthusiastically to thousands of spectators who gathered outside Buckingham Palace and on The Mall, as the King and Prince of Wales traveled on horseback.
Today marked the first time a monarch has ridden a horse at Trooping the Color since Queen Elizabeth’s Burmese horse carried her to the ceremony in 1986.
The royal party traveled amidst a Sovereign’s Mounted Escort formed by troops from the Household Cavalry’s Life Guards and Blues and Royals.
The royal children were in good spirits today as they arrived in a carriage for their grandfather’s first ever birthday parade
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis traveled to Horse Guards Parade with their mother, the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla for the Trooping the Color
George, Charlotte and Louis will later take to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a flypast – after a set for the King’s coronation was scaled back in May.
Princess Charlotte, eight, wore a white dress with red detailing, while her hair was pulled back in intricate braids that came together in a low bun.
Her brothers George, nine, and Louis, five, wore matching navy suits, white shirts, and red ties – with their hair combed neatly to the side.
After the King’s Birthday Parade, the royal children travel to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a flypast that is expected to last about six minutes.
Some 70 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force are on hand to take part as members of The Firm look on.
Prince Louis has been a hit at such events in the past, previously covering his ears and screaming desperately as the loud planes passed by.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said today’s aircraft will take off from 15 locations across the UK, before converging in the south east of England and flying over London.
The event concludes with a show of red, white and blue from the pilots of the Red Arrows.
George, Charlotte and Louis talk to each other as they travel to Horse Guards Parade
Princess Charlotte, eight, wore a white dress with red details, while her hair was pulled back in intricate braids that came together in a low bun
Her brothers George, nine, and Louis, five, wore matching navy suits, white shirts and red ties – with their hair combed neatly to the side
After the King’s Birthday Parade, the royal children travel to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for a flypast expected to last about six minutes
The Ministry of Defense said many of the aircraft taking part in the flypast this year have been involved in operations around the world, including the NATO air policing mission in Eastern Europe and the evacuation of British citizens from Sudan.
Charles will be joined by the Queen and members of the Royal Family on Saturday to watch the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Troop take their colour.
For over 260 years, the Trooping the Color has marked the Sovereign’s official birthday – taking place in June despite Charles being born in November.
Members of the Welsh Guards, a regiment of the Household Division, march towards the Horse Guards Parade during Trooping the Color
Around 70 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force stand ready to take part as members of The Firm look on
It will be the first time a full flypast has been possible during the reign of King Charles, after a coronation flypast had to be scaled back in May due to bad weather.
Helicopters and the Red Arrows had been shown instead, with aerial footage illustrating just how bad the weather was over London.
The birthday flypast has been enlarged to pay tribute to the new monarch.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, said: ‘We are very proud to be able to demonstrate our capabilities to our Commander-in-Chief on this historic occasion before His Majesty the King.
“We have planned a fitting and appropriate tribute for our monarch, which should be a true spectacle for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”
Air Officer Commanding 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin, said: “It is a great honor to be part of His Majesty the King’s birthday celebrations where the flypast is an opportunity for us to demonstrate formation, precision and demonstrate excellence in the air. to our Commander-in-Chief on such a special occasion.’
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said today’s aircraft will take off from 15 locations across the UK before converging in the south east of England and flying over London