Prince William and Kate Middleton share sweet family portrait with smiling George, Charlotte and Louis after joining Royal Family for Trooping the Colour parade

Daily Mail​

10 hours ago

The Wales Family have released a charming family portrait following the Trooping the Colour parade to celebrate King Charles III's official birthday.
In the sweet snap posted on Instagram, the Prince and Princess of Wales pose with their three children George, 11, Charlotte, ten and Louis, seven.
'Another brilliant day at Trooping the Colour for His Majesty's Birthday Parade,' the caption read. 'Thank you to everybody who came, and to all those that took part.'
Catherine, 43, looked resplendent in an aquamarine coat dress from her late mother-in-law Princess Diana 's favourite designer Catherine Walker - complete with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill.
The mother-of-three accessorised with the Irish Guards regimental brooch as well as the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings in a sweet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
They were crafted from pearls gifted to the Queen and Philip from the ruler of Bahrain at the time of their wedding in 1947.
Her mini-me daughter Charlotte also paid tribute to the late monarch by rewearing the brooch she wore to her great-grandmother's funeral.
The boys, George and Louis, wore matching suits with striking red tires to match their father's scarlet military tunic.
The King, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, led the royal appearances on Saturday as they watched a flypast involving aircraft including the Red Arrows, Chinook helicopters and a Lancaster bomber, a model that was used during World War II.
But it was the Wales Family who stole the show on the Buckingham Palace balcony where they were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence.
The late Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester and his wife also watched the flypast, alongside Prince Michael of Kent.
Cheeky Prince Louis captured the hearts of the nation once again as he waved to the gathered crowds with a large beaming smile.
Earlier, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were seen bowing their heads in respect as the royal family led a minute's silence to remember the 270 people so far known to have been killed in the Air India disaster.
Prince William and Catherine's children watched on from a nearby balcony after taking part in the Trooping the Colour parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guard's Parade while their parents carried out official roles during the ceremony.
Led by a regal Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, the youngsters joined the rest of the royals in a quiet moment of reflection to remember the lives lost in the disaster.
It followed a grand parade involving more than 1,400 soldiers including members of the King's Guards which saw the royals wave at cheering crowds as they travelled down the Mall.
The youngest member of the royal family drew smiles from his parents and grandparents as he gave a cheeky grin
The King and Queen Camilla led the royal appearances as they prepared to watch a flypast involving aircraft including the Red Arrows, Chinook helicopters and a Lancaster bomber, a model that was used during World War II
The King and Prince William speak with one another as the royal family watches a flypast to mark the King's official birthday
Princes Louis and George wore matching suits and ties as they sat in an open-top carriage with their mother, the Princess of Wales
Kate and Princess Charlotte shared a sweet moment as they beamed together at wellwishers during today's Trooping the Colour ceremony as the royal family and fans united to mark the King's birthday.
As they arrived at Buckingham Palace, William and Kate sat in the back of a car with little Prince Louis, seven - while Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince George, 11 sat together in front. Charlotte was seen waving at the crowds as the car passed, while Kate and William smiled fondly.
They were followed by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, who arrived together in a car, without either of their children - Lady Louise, 21 and James, 17.
As the parade got underway from Buckingham Palace, the King and Queen were seen waving and smiling as they proceeded down the Mall in an open-top carriage before the national anthem was played as they made their way to the Horse Guards Palace.
While Prince William rode on horseback and looked almost unrecognisable, Kate sat in a carriage with their three children and smiled widely as she shared a sweet moment with Princess Charlotte. Prince George and Prince Louis wore matching suits and ties and sat opposite.
Thousands of royal fans lined the Mall and erupted into cheers and applause as the royal family passed by.
Prince Wales was amongst many royals, soldiers and carriage drivers who wore black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Air India plane crash on Thursday.
The monarch requested a minute's silence to be held during the ceremony in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.
Some 53 Brits were onboard the doomed flight - all but one are believed to have been killed, along with dozens on the ground bringing the final death toll to at least 270.
Black armbands were worn by the head of state and senior royals wearing military uniform riding in the ceremony to mark the King's official birthday.
On horseback and wearing the armbands were the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
King Charles, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment, rode in a carriage as he did last year with his wife Queen Camilla. The Queen wore a white silk crepe dress with silver embroidery by Anna Valentine with a hat by Philip Treacy and a Grenadier Guards brooch.
Fans gathered early on the Mall on Saturday and braved the rain while hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family. A small group of protesters carrying placards reading 'Not my King' was also in attendance.
The procession was led on Saturday by a carriage carrying the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, ahead of a second in which the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will travel.
The Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh followed behind on horseback.
It is the first time Princess Anne has ridden in public since she suffered a head injury, thought to be caused by a horse, at her home last year.
The Princess of Wales travelled down the Mall in an Ascot Landau seated beside her daughter Princess Charlotte, while Prince George and Prince Louis sat opposite.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla passed the royal fans in their own carriage before the King inspected his troops.
After arriving at the parade ground, Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards - a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children.
A minute's silence was then held to remember all the victims of this week's Air India disaster.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles requested amendments to the Trooping the Colour programme 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy'.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla smile and wave at thousands of royal fans who travelled to London to celebrate the official birthday of the sovereign
Prince Louis wore an adorable suit as he sat beside his brother Prince George during the procession
Prince Louis and Prince George smile as they enjoy the large-scale parade on a sunny Saturday in London
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte are pictured in their matching blue and white outfits ahead of the parade this morning
The Wales family wait on the steps of Buckingham Palace for their carriage to arrive
The Princess of Wales bears a radiant smile as she accompanies her children during the parade today
The King is pictured after dismounting his carriage after arriving at the parade ground
Prince William rode on horseback for the parade, which features more than 1,400 soldiers
King Charles III gives a salute as he watches the parade march past after arriving back at Buckingham Palace
The King waves to protesters against the monarchy who lined a section of the Mall on Saturday
Prince George reacts as he rides a carriage with Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte (not pictured)
Members of the Household Cavalry are some of the more than 1,400 soldiers taking part today
Prince George of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales travel by carriage during Trooping The Colour
The Princess of Wales and her children wore coordinating outfits as they took part in the public spectacle today
Princess Anne rode on horseback in public for the first time since sustaining a head injury thought to be caused by a horse
The King issued a written message soon after the plane crash, saying he was 'desperately shocked by the terrible events' and expressed his 'deepest possible sympathy'.
Posting on social media ahead of the ceremony this morning, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Sending my best wishes to His Majesty The King today at Trooping the Colour. God Save The King.'
The occasion transforms the Mall as crowds line up the streets waving flags as 1400 soldiers parade alongside 200 horses and 400 musicians from Horse Guard's Parade to Buckingham Palace.
After the Trooping ceremony is over, the Royal Family made their group appearance on the Palace balcony before the day concluded with a flypast.
Today, the Red Arrows made history when they used sustainable fuel and vegetable oil for their flypast over London for The King's birthday.
Jets from the world-famous aerobatic display team were powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel, and used the vegetable oil to produce their trademark vapour trails.
It follows groundbreaking trials by RAF engineers and logisticians.
All nine of the team's British-built Hawk fast-jets were topped up with a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the team's home base of RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, before they set off, in what is thought to be a world's first.
Carriages leave Buckingham Palace during the Trooping of the Colour parade
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children have been spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of today's Trooping the Colour ceremony to mark the King's birthday
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace moments before the parade began
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London
Prince George was dressed in a navy blue suit and red tie for today's event
Princess Anne salutes as she rides on horseback during the procession
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Timothy Laurence wave during Trooping The Colour 2025
The Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured during today's Trooping the Colour as she rode in an open-top carriage
Princess Anne arrives at Buckingham Palace on Saturday before participating in Trooping the Colour
William and Kate smile at those gathered along the Mall as they arrived at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour
Officers of the Grenadier Guards mounted on horses ride along the Mall as they take part in the Trooping the Color in London
Members of the Coldstream Guards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, on June 14
Final preparations are made for the annual ceremony, to celebrate the monarch's birthday, on Saturday
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Prince Louis makes sure all eyes are on him during RAF flypast... until big brother George steps in!
The flypast is also thought to be the first time a renewable biofuel - known as hydrotreated vegetable oil - has been used to produce vapour trails.
Charles has been championing sustainability and climate action since before he ascended the throne.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was 'delighted' because he has been encouraging use of the fuel on royal flights where practical and hopes the example will lead to wider use across the aviation sector.
Squadron leader Andy King, the Red Arrows' senior engineering officer who led the project, said: 'Ever since the Red Arrows' first display in 1965, the team has aimed to inspire future generations and represent the best of British. Using this technology is the latest example of our relentless pursuit of excellence.
'The flypast for His Majesty The King is the perfect opportunity to showcase this innovation.
'The vibrant vapour trails that we generate is what sets the Red Arrows apart and so to be the first aerobatic team in the world to move to a fully sustainable option is really exciting.'
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, said: 'The iconic Red Arrows are one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams and by adopting a more environmentally friendly sustainable aviation fuel, the Royal Air Force is blazing a trail as part of our work to combat climate change.'
The Red Arrows' 2025 season runs until October, with 60 shows planned across the UK and mainland Europe.
As a former polo player and one of the Royal Family's most accomplished equestrians, King Charles rode for years in the parade - both for his mother's official birthday celebrations and then for his own.
But he did not appear on horseback at the event this weekend and instead travelled in a carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back.
Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition that marks the Sovereign's official birthday.
King Charles III salutes his soldiers at the parade ground during the Trooping the Colour
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Timothy Laurence wave during Trooping The Colour 2025
Members of the King's Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour parade which honours Britain's King Charles on his official birthday
Fans of the royal family lined the Mall from early on Saturday morning to watch the parade
A group of women dressed in Union Jacks take their place on the Mall hoping to see the royals
Members of the King's Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour parade which honours Britain's King Charles on his official birthday
Members of the King's guards stand to attention during the Trooping the Colour
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Charlotte bears striking resemblance to Kate as they match their Trooping the Colour ensembles
It dates back to the 17th century and is rooted in battlefield custom, when regimental flags, or 'colours,' were trooped in front of soldiers to ensure they could be recognised amid the smoke of combat.
Last week a full-dress rehearsal, known as The Colonel's Review, took place serving as the final run-through before the King's official celebration.
This year, the honour of trooping the Colour falls to the Coldstream Guards, who will officially present their regimental flag, known as the Colour, to King Charles.
Following the Trooping ceremony, all eyes will be on the royal balcony to see who King Charles invites to wave to the crowds.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will be front and centre on the balcony to watch the Red Arrows flypast, but it expected a host of senior royals will be alongside them.
Prince William is joined by the Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.
Princess Anne will feature with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince Edward - who like Anne will be fresh from his part in the procession - is expected on the balcony with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
They are likely to be joined by their daughter Lady Louise, 21.
Their son James, the Earl of Wessex, 17, did not make an appearance last year and may not attend the ceremony this time around either.
Despite his increasing frailty, the staunchly devoted Duke of Kent, 89, will likely also be among the royals on the balcony.
Also expected is the hard-working Duke of Gloucester, 80, and his 78-year-old wife Birgitte, the Duchess.
A minute's silence is expected to be observed by the royals and the crowd after the deaths of 52 Brits in a plane crash in India on Thursday.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, managed to stagger away from the disaster that killed at least 270 people including everyone else on the doomed plane.
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad. He says the plane's lights flickered and it felt 'stuck' and unable to ascend
The monarch has requested a minute's silence in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad
Remnants of the fuselage and the landing gear were seen dangling through a gaping hole in the side of what appeared to be a canteen, with half-finished plates of food clearly visible on benches inside
Chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building
He is miraculously the only survivor and also lost his brother Ajay in the crash.
He has been describing how it felt like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was 'stuck in the air' and 'came to a standstill' rather than climbing after take off.
As expected, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are not attending this year's celebrations.
Having chosen to walk away from being working royals, they have not been present at Trooping the Colour since 2019.
The other notable absentee will be Prince Andrew, who remains exiled from public royal events amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and the claims made by late accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are not expected to be there either amid Charles' desire for a slimmed-down monarchy and to keep the focus on working royals.
Members of the royal family are expected to watch the flypast - including the RAF Red Arrows and a range of planes and helicopters - from the balcony.
In previous years it has been a moment where the royal children shine - with little Prince Louis delighting fans last year as pretended to fly one of the planes, appearing to screw up his face as he mimicked the engine's deafening noise.
The route for the flypast has not been officially confirmed, but the Military Air Shows has revealed an air restrictions map which shows the expected official route.
Proposed restrictions are in the vicinity of the North Sea, East Anglia, Essex and London.
Its expected the flypast will go over Buckingham Palace at 1pm.
Held traditionally on the second Saturday in June, regardless of the Sovereign's actual date of birth, the celebrations have marked the monarch's official birthday since the mid-1700s.
Queen Elizabeth attended all but two of her Trooping the Colours, missing it in 1955 when a national rail strike resulted in the event being cancelled and in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions.
In 2017, Trooping was held a few days days after the Grenfell Tower blaze and the loss of life was marked by a minute's silence, a decision taken by Queen Elizabeth II.
The parade is open to members of the public through an online ballot with ticketing ranging from £10 to £30 and is broadcast live on the BBC.
What is Trooping the Colour?
The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years.
Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday.
The streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony.
Once the Sovereign has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade in Whitehall, they are greeted by a Royal salute and carry out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.
After the military bands have performed, the escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Over one hundred words of command are used by the Officer in Command of the Parade to direct the several hundred soldiers.
Once the Foot Guards have marched past the Sovereign, they ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again at the Palace from a dais.
The Sovereign is then joined by other Members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. A 41-gun salute is also fired in Green Park to mark the occasion.
Source: Royal.uk