The queen was surrounded by members of her family, who watched a Royal Air Force fly pass by on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
The Royal family were driven in a horse and
carriage as they rode through the tree-lined Mall, as soldiers marched
in a precise formation to celebrate the monarch's official birthday
After the parade ended, the Queen was
cheered as she was driven back to Buckingham Palace, and the King’s
Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne,
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew Prince Harry, Catherine and Prince
William all stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to greet the
crowds
Enjoying herself! The Queen is all smiles as she
joins Prince Charles, and Prince Andrew ahead of the fly-past on the
balcony at Buckingham Palace
The ceremony is also an important social occasion for the Guardsmen taking part and gives their wives, girlfriends, and relatives the chance to celebrate the achievements of the young men and enjoy the spectacle.
Many of the spectators in the stands overlooking the parade ground were dressed in morning suits or smart suits, while women wore dresses topped with hats and fascinators.
After the parade ended, the Queen was cheered by crowds gathered along the Mall as she was driven back to Buckingham Palace, where she watched an aerial display by the RAF.
The RAF Red Arrows perform a flypast over Buckingham Palace, central London, following the Trooping of the Colour
The Red Arrows displayed their famous red, white and blue plumes of smoke as they flew over the palace in perfect formation
The nine Red Arrows, based at RAF Scampton in
Lincolnshire, flew over London after the ceremony to honour the Queen's
official birthday
Thousands of spectators crowded around the front of the palace and on The Mall, many cheering as a succession of planes roared overhead.
Among the featured 32 aircraft were 13 different types - from the famous Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster aircraft of the RAF Memorial Flight - to modern multi-role Typhoon fighters.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, Duke of Kent stand at Buckingham Palace during the elaborate ceremony
The Queen took the royal salute as members of
the royal family looked on but she had to celebrate the ceremony without
her husband, who is recovering in hospital
Queen Elizabeth can be seen peeping through the window of her carriage as soldiers and well wishers line the streets
All eyes upwards: The Red Arrows display team
perform a fly-past as members of the British royal family stand together
on the balcony at Buckingham Palace and a crowd gathers outside
Queen Elizabeth II inspects the Household
Cavalry during the Colour at the Horse Guards Parade, London, while a
huge crowd gathered to see her
Soldiers from the Household Division line up in a
precise formation before royalty and the public during the Trooping the
Colour at Horse Guards Parade
The famous RAF display team make their way over the River Thames
Among the featured 32 aircraft were 13 different
types, from the famous Spitfirem Hurricane and Lancaster aircraft, to
more modern multi-rile Typhoon fighters, before the Red Arrows completed
the flypast over Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth II first took the royal salute
in 1951 - when she deputised for her sick father, George VI - and has
continued receiving the mark of respect every year except 1955
Her Majesty looked delighted as she watched the
Guards march outside Buckingham Palace, before inspecting the guards as
members of the royal family watched on
The Colour that was paraded on Horse Guards this year is the flag of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
The unit has recently returned from operational service in Afghanistan where the troops worked as part of the Afghan Police Advisory Team assisting the country to achieve self governance.
Prince William wore an elaborate uniform as he
marked his grandmother's official birthday. The monarch turned 87 this
year on April 21
A family affair: Members of the royal family
participated in the annual event. Prince Charles and Princess Anne, the
Princess Royal (right) rode on horseback during the procession and
Prince William also joined in the ceremony (far left) in full costume
The Duke of Cambridge (left) Princess Royal (centre) and the Prince of Wales (right) arrive at Horse Guards Parade
The Household Division Bands and Corps of Drums were also taking part, along with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The ceremony originates from traditional battle preparations, when 'colors,' which refer to military flags, were carried down the rank to be seen by soldiers.
Although the Queen was born on 21 April and turned 87 this year, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.
Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.
Royal Salutes have been fired at both Edinburgh and Stirling Castle to mark the Queen's official birthday.
Meanwhile, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, in their familiar red tunics and bearskins, provided both castle guards.
It is the first time the battalion has mounted a guard at Stirling in more than 300 years.
The royal salutes took place as the Queen attended the Trooping the Colour parade at Horse Guards Parade in London's Whitehall.
Commanding officer of 105th Regiment Lieutenant Colonel James Cook said: 'As the Scottish and Ulster Gunners, we are honoured to be firing royal salutes at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles on the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's official birthday.
'We are extremely privileged to have the General Officer Commanding Scotland, Major General Nick Eeles, as the reviewing officer at Stirling Castle; and the Deputy Commander Land Forces, Major General Ranald Munro, as the reviewing officer at Edinburgh Castle.
Happy birthday, Ma'am! Guards make an imposing sight as they march down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace
Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony
The ceremony which marks the Queens official
birthday was not attended by Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh as he
recuperates from abdominal surgery
The Grenadier Guards marched on Horse Guards Parade as the sun managed to struggle through the clouds to brighten the day
'In addition, the regiment has now been given the official authority to fire four royal salutes annually at Stirling Castle. These will usually be fired by the regiment's 212 (Highland) Battery.'
Music at Stirling Castle was provided by the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The royal salute at Edinburgh Castle was fired by 207 Battery, with music from the Lowland Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The carriage that transported the Queen was built in 1881 as a town coach for the Lord Mayor of London, it was purchased for King George V's coronation in 1911.
It has been used for most royal weddings since then, including by the Queen when she married Philip in 1947 when she was still Princess Elizabeth
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2342119/Kate-Middleton-pregnant-Duchess-Cambridge-joins-Camilla-Trooping-Colour.html#ixzz2WNpFPAt4
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