Who’s who on the Buckingham Palace balcony (and the key people missing) as King Charles makes subtle change to line-up in sweet gesture to Kate Middleton – and Lady Louise Windsor makes surprise appearance

The Royal Family were in full force today as they watched the annual Monarch Birthday Parade and headed to the famous Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the Trooping the Color flypast.

Every year, thousands of well-wishers gather to catch a glimpse of the king’s family.

However, over the past two years, balconies have been fairly scarce at Trooping the Color.

In 2023, just 14 members of the royal family went to the historic site to celebrate the king’s birthday.

This year the balcony was not much fuller: 15 members of The Firm watched the flypast from the balcony.

While many faces remained the same as last year, there was one significant difference.

Last year, Prince William stood next to his father. This year, however, the monarch chose to stand next to his daughter-in-law Kate.

It is believed that King Charles made the touching gesture in recognition of the cancer battle he and Kate are both fighting.

Meanwhile, missing from the line-up was 16-year-old James, the Earl of Wessex, whose absence could be related to it being exam season.

However, his sister Lady Louise, who was not present at last year’s event, was present today at Trooping the colour, an action that surprised some royal spectators.

Another absent face was Princess Alexandra, 87, a cousin of the late queen, who also missed the event last year.

And unsurprisingly, Prince Andrew also failed to win the prize. The disgraced royal, who stepped back from senior royal duties amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, has not been seen on the balcony for Trooping the Color since 2019.

Here FEMAIL tells us who won the prize for the Buckingham Palace balcony…

1. Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester: The Duke is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary and a paternal cousin of the late Queen. He performs duties on behalf of the royal family and is patron of many associations.

2. Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester: The Dutch-born duchess married Prince Richard in 1972 and is a full-time working member of the royal family. She shares three children with the Duke, none of whom have official duties.

3. Prince George: George, the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales and second in line to the throne, was also pictured on the balcony with his family.

4. Prince of Wales: Prince William, heir to the throne, took part in the procession, riding horseback, while his wife and children traveled in a carriage.

5. Prince Louis: Often referred to as the ‘cheeky’ royal due to his mischievous antics, Louis was on the balcony today alongside his mother, father and siblings. At some points he seemed quite impressed.

6. Princess Charlotte: The princess was also pictured next to Louis and King Charles on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

7. Princess of Wales: Kate, 42, who has been receiving chemotherapy for an unknown form of cancer since February, traveled in a carriage for the traditional procession through London with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The future queen was the epitome of elegance and grace as she donned a crisp, structured white sheath dress that featured a bow along the neckline. The designer is believed to be Jenny Packham – many of whose creations Kate has previously donned.

8. King Charles: Last year the king became the first monarch in more than 30 years to participate in the Color on horseback.

It was the first time a reigning monarch had ridden the Color since Queen Elizabeth’s horse Burmese carried her during the 1986 ceremony.

This year, however, he took a horse-drawn carriage, reportedly avoiding driving as per doctor’s orders due to his cancer diagnosis.

9. Queen Camilla: The queen, who wore a pale green silk crepe dress and coat by Anna Valentine, and a hat by Philip Treacy, seemed thrilled to be at her husband’s side during the big event.

10. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh: Sophie, 59, looked stunning in yellow today as she rode in a carriage to Horse Guards Parade with her daughter Lady Louise.

11. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh: As last year, Prince Edward rode during the ceremony today, in his role as Colonel of the 1st Battalion London Guards.

This marked a departure from 2022, when he boarded a carriage with his wife Sophie.

12. Lady Louise Windsor: 20-year-old student Louise, who studies at St Andrews, missed Trooping the Color last year.

This year she traveled to the event in a carriage she shared with her mother Sophie.

13. Princess Anne: The king’s sister, who is often considered the “hardest working royal,” looked relaxed as she celebrated the annual event with her family. Anne rode on horseback alongside Prince William and Prince Edward.

14. Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence: Princess Anne’s husband shared a carriage with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester today, while his wife rode on horseback.

15. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent: The 88-year-old was present on the balcony next to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.