The royal family will come together today to celebrate the King‘s birthday parade, known as Trooping the Colour, with the Princess of Wales set to make her first public appearance this year.
Kate, 42, who has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, will ride in a carriage alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the traditional procession on Saturday.
Later, she is expected to gather with the King, the Prince of Wales and other royals on Buckingham Palace’s balcony for the fly-past.
As the Princess shared a personal update about her progress in a letter released on Friday, she wrote: “I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.”
The King and Queen will lead members of the royal family as they take part in the procession down to Horse Guards Parade from Buckingham Palace, where the King’s Colour will be trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, during the ceremony.
In a change from last year, Charles, 75, will travel via carriage with his wife, Camilla, 76, instead of riding horseback amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
The likes of the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales are expected to ride down The Mall on horseback and dressed in military uniform.
With all of the action kicking off around 10am, we’ll be bringing you all the best photographs and moments from the day.
Learn more about Trooping the Colour and its history in the video below…
The impressive display of pageantry will see over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses. Meanwhile, over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums will march and play in unison.
The King will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from an Ascot Landau carriage with the Queen.
After the ceremony, Charles will lead the royals and the soldiers back to Buckingham Palace.
As the troops return to their barracks, the King and Queen with members of the royal family will gather on the palace balcony to watch the finale – a spectacular flypast from the Royal Air Force.
© GettyEarly start
Fans began gathering down The Mall in the early hours of the morning to take their places for the procession.
© GettyRoyal watchers
Many fans carried flags and dressed up in red, white and blue outfits.
© GettyPreparations
Royal household staff were pictured preparing the famous Buckingham Palace balcony ahead of the flypast.
© GettyBalcony
Staff prepared the balcony with the iconic red and gold drapes. The royal family will gather together to watch the military spectacle after the procession.
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