The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations mark 70 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
As the first royal to reach such a milestone, it’s an historical moment of monumental significance so what better way to start than with the age old birthday tradition of Trooping the Colour, also known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade?
The streets of London were brought to life with a procession of Irish Guards, the 1st Battalion, over 1200 officers, and soldiers from the Household Division who put on an impressive display of military pageantry on Horse Guards Parade.
They were joined by Army musicians, 240 horses, and the sound of guns firing through Hyde Park and again at The Tower of London.
Trooping the Colour is one of the most anticipated events in the royal calendar as it’s one of the few occasions fans are able to see the family together.
After the patriotic parade, the Queen and her family make their highly anticipated Buckingham Palace balcony appearance to watch the Royal Gun Salute and Flypast.
Due to the global pandemic, this is the first balcony appearance since 2019 however, some staples were missing from the lineup as the balcony wave was reserved for working royals.
Royal watchers were thrilled to see The Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and the royal children among others wave from the palace.
Meanwhile, other members of the family watched on from the Major General’s Office, including Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
In a sweet moment, Meghan, who re-wore the Roland Mouret navy blue asymmetrical dress she donned on the eve of her wedding, was seen bonding with Peter Phillips’ daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips as well as Harry’s goddaughter Lena Tindall.
To celebrate the Trooping the Colour that was we have compiled the best pictures from the balcony bonanza.
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Royal watchers were thrilled to see Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis make their carriage ride debut.
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The children rode with their mother, the Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
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The Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant in Alexander McQueen.
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Sophie, Countess of Wessex waved to the crowds from the carriage as she rode with husband Prince Edward and their two children.
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Lady Louise and her brother James, Viscount Severn looked all grown up.
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Meanwhile Prince Charles in his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Prince William in his role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, and Princess Anne in her role as Colonel of the Blues and Royals rode on horseback as part of the parade.
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The Queen stepped out onto the balcony first with her cousin Duke of Kent.
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Senior members of the royal family then joined the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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The Queen waved to the crowds below while three of her great-grandchildren stood beside her.
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Princess Anne (far right) was distinguished in her military garb.
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Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George looked at the spectacles above.
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Poor Louis got a fright from the loud planes.
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The Duchess of Cambridge checked on her son to help calm him down.
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But he soon cheered up and gave a wave.
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The monarch looked radiant as she smiled to the crowds below.
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They may not have been on the balcony but Princess Eugenie, husband Jack Brooksbank and their son August had a prime spot to watch the flypast.
