A historic moment! On Saturday, June 13, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 89th birthday in the annual tradition of the Trooping of the Colour. It was the 63rd time the Queen has attended the parade in her honor, and she looked better than ever in a peach-colored dress, coat, and hat by Angela Kelly. It was also a big moment for her granddaughter-in-law, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, who was making her first public appearance since giving birth to Princess Charlotte in early May.
Middleton, 33, looked trim and back to her former physique in a sky blue and white Catherine Walker Astrid coatdress and a large white hat by Lock & Co.
The ceremony, which featured more than 1,000 soldiers in the annual display of army drill, music, and horsemanship, involved the majority of the Royal family. Prince William, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne rode on horseback in the procession to House Guards.
The 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 color being paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. The Household Division Bands and Corps of Drums also took part, as did the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who, following the parade, fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen’s official birthday.
There was also a 31-aircraft flyover, which included Spitfires and Hurricanes, which were made famous in the Battle of Britain 75 years ago, as well as modern jets like the Typhoon fighter. The Red Arrows formed the finale flyover as the Royal family watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Prince George, almost 2, stole the show, appearing on the Palace balcony for the first time in the arms of his father, Prince William. The tiny Royal was adorable, waving to the crowd, pointing at the aircrafts, and watching in awe as they flew overhead.