King Charles and Queen Camilla have joined senior royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Colour parade to celebrate the monarch’s official birthday.
Standing by His Majesty’s side was the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight.
Alongside the Waleses was the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, 90, whose wife the Duchess of Kent died in September 2025, also made an appearance on the balcony for the Red Arrows flypast after missing the royal carriage procession.
Trooping the Colour was once an affair that saw the palace balcony brimming with at least 44 royals as more distant relatives were invited.
But over the last few years, only working royals – and the Waleses’ children – have attended the event in line with the King’s slimmed-down monarchy approach.
Earlier in the day, the royals attended the monarch’s official birthday at Horse Guards Parade in London as throngs of fans flocked to The Mall to witness the stunning display of military pomp and pageantry.
Kate, 44, putting on a typically elegant display in a Catherine Walker light blue and white coat dress and a matching Philip Treacy hat, was sat next to her youngest Louis, eight, when travelling in the royal carriage procession.
From left to right: Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne, Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis
Prince William pointing up at the sky as Red Arrow jets fly over Buckingham Palace
Over the last few years, only working royals – and the Waleses’ children – have attended the event in line with the King’s slimmed-down monarchy approach
Prince William smiling at his son, Prince Louis, eight, as Charlotte watches the flypast
King Charles smiles at the crowds as all three Wales children join Kate in waving at royal fans gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace
Louis put on a very animated display – who has come to be known for his cheeky antics at royal events
Future heir to the throne George exchanging a smile with the Princess of Wales, while Louise pulled a grumpy face
Charlotte, 11, and George, 12, looking smart in a suit and a tie that matched his mother’s ensemble, were placed opposite the pair in the open-top coach.
The King, meanwhile, wore his military uniform, with Queen Camilla wearing a red silk crepe Grenadier Guards uniform dress, designed by Fiona Clare, as the two travelled from Buckingham Palace to the parade grounds.
It was a family affair for the Firm as the Prince of Wales rode on horseback while wearing the Full Ceremonial Order of the Welsh Guards. He was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal as they flashed a salute on their way to Buckingham Palace.
Highlighting the strong bond between Kate and her children, they were all dressed in complementary outfits – from George and Louis’s ties that were the exact shade of Kate’s dress to Charlotte’s printed cream dress with hints of blue.
Known for his cheeky antics, Louis flashed his gap-toothed smile at the crowds that eagerly held up their phones to try to snap a picture of the Royal Family during a spectacular display of military pomp and regalia.
The future heir to the throne, George, 12, was confident as he waved at well-wishers while seemingly joking and chatting with his younger sister, Charlotte.
Today, guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskin caps delivered a display of precision marching on Horse Guards Parade, honed over weeks of practice and part of their ceremonial duties when not fighting soldiers.
Prince Edward (on the far right), the Duke of Kent, 90, whose wife the Duchess of Kent died in September 2025, also made an appearance on the balcony
Camilla wore a red silk crepe Grenadier Guards uniform dress, designed by Fiona Clare, as she joined Charles in greeting thousands of fans who watched the ceremony
The Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Gloucester on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
Louis pulled funny faces as he watched today’s flypast, while his older brother George seemed momentarily distracted
A rare sighting of the Duke of Kent (on the right) as a very grumpy-looking Louis sits next to Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, moments before the Royal Family’s balcony appearance
Louis and Charlotte peeking out of a window at Buckingham Palace
