LONDON: Prince Harry and his new wife, the former actress Meghan Markle, joined the pageantry of the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony Saturday in London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday.
The duke and duchess, who married three weeks ago, made the short trip from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in a horse-drawn carriage as royal fans lining the Mall cheered and waved. After the event, the couple joined other members of the royal family on the palace's front balcony to watch the Royal Air Force fly by.
Guardsman is the first to wear a turban at #TroopingtheColour in its 250-year history https://t.co/sqhodLtanp pic.twitter.com/XjD4w7qlne
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) June 9, 2018
The 92-year-old queen, who recently had a successful cataract operation, watched the ceremony from a dais and inspected the lines of guardsmen in bearskin hats and scarlet tunics who offered her tributes. Her husband, Prince Philip, has retired from royal duties and did not attend.
The Princess Royal rode out as as Colonel of the Blues and Royals at Trooping the Colour. pic.twitter.com/9cGkmnDGQX
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 9, 2018
The ceremony originated from traditional preparations for battle. Flags, or colors, were "trooped" so soldiers in the ranks would be able to recognize them. The Queen's actual birthday is April 21.
23 aircraft took part in the Fly Past highlighting the range of aircraft used by the @RoyalAirForce
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 9, 2018
Including the Red Arrows Aerobatic Team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, helicopters and fast jet combat aircraft. pic.twitter.com/f0kyL5nUIi
