Trooping the Colour, 2017 is off to a spectacular start with the British Royal Family out in full force.
Ahead of the day’s festivities, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh lead a national minute of silence outside Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to the victims of the Grendell Tower.
The tribute comes after the 91-year-old released an unprecedented statement acknowledging the heartbreaking times the country has faced in light of the Manchester attack, the London Bridge attack and the Grenfell Tower fire.
Clearly moved by the succession of terrible events, at times Her Majesty appeared quite downcast during the parade.
Check out the all the best pictures of the royal family, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, gathering for the RAF flyover here!
Peek-a-boo! Prince George and Princess Charlotte watch all the action of the parade from the window of Buckingham Palace.
The Duchess was pretty in a pink Alexander McQueen dress and a matching hat by Jane Taylor.
Duchess Camilla and Duchess Catherine arrived together on a horse-drawn carriage.
The 35-year-old beamed as she smiled at the crowds.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who opted for a stylish pink dress by Alexander McQueen dress and a matching hat by Jane Taylor, and the Duchess of Cornwall, who kept things classic in a cream ensemble, and Prince Harry, who cut a dapper figure in his military uniform, lead the royal procession arriving together in a horse-drawn carriage.
The Queen and Prince Philip, who for the first time wasn’t wearing his military uniform due to his recent retirement, arrived in shortly after.
The 91-year-old monarch looked resplendent in a powder blue ensemble, which she teamed with a classic pearl necklace, white gloves and a silver brooch.
Other royal family members in attendance included Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne arrived on horseback.
Charles wore the Guard of Honour uniform while his son, the Duke of Cambridge, sported the Irish guard’s tunic and Jubilee medals and bearskins.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrived shortly after.
In light of the recent attacks, the 91-year-old appeared somewhat downcast.
Harry, Camilla and Kate give their best royal waves.
Riding in style.
The sweltering summer heat proved quite a challenge for the men and women in their thick bearskin uniforms.
At one point, a guard was overcome by the heat and fainted. He was quickly tended to by his colleagues and carried away on a stretcher.
All up, five guards fainted as a result of the 27-degree heat.
You might be asking yourself what is Trooping the Colour? The lavish ceremony is held every year to celebrate the ruling monarch’s birthday.
Trooping the Colour, 2017, will kick off at at 7:00 pm and go until 10:00 pm on Saturday, 17 June, Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Despite Queen Elizabeth’s actual birthday falling on April 21, tradition dictates the event is carried out in June thanks to a clever King George II, who deemed it too chilly to celebrate his birthday on the day he actually was born in November.
So now every year, the royal family gather in the British summer for a stunning display of pomp and ceremony in the heart of London.
Consider it the public’s way of singing Her Majesty Happy Birthday.
Ahead of the day’s celebrations, Her Majesty lead a minute’s silence in honour of the three tragedies that have rocked Britain.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie worked floral looks for their grandmother’s birthday bash.
Oh no! After standing in the scorching summer sun, one guard fainted.
He was quickly looked after by his colleagues and carted off in a stretcher.
It’s a sweltering summer’s day but it won’t deter the troops.
Before the event began, Queen Elizabeth released an unprecedented statement acknowledging Britain’s recent tragedies
The Queen’s birthday parade is the next best thing to a royal wedding and involves a literal army!
Trooping the Colour is performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies. In the past, it took place on battlefields and regiment’s colours or flags were used as rallying points.
It is carried out by fully trained troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
The participants carry their colours, also known as flags, and salute the Queen as she walks past, hence the name Trooping the Colour.
In a special touch, members of the royal family also get involved in the fun. This year Prince William, who was appointed the Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011, has the esteemed honour of inspecting the soldiers on behalf his grandmother.
It’s a father-son act! Prince Charles and Prince William on horseback.
Extra security has been organised for the celebrations.
Due to Prince Harry’s position in the royal family, he doesn’t ride on horseback and instead in a carriage.
For the first time, Prince Philip isn’t wearing his military uniform due to his recent retirement.
Trooping could potentially mark Prince Philip’s last public event before he settles into retirement.
It is expected that over 1,400 officers, 400 musicians and 200 horses will attend.
The Queen herself travels by carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade across St. James’s Park to inspect her troops, receive a royal salute and take a salute of her own.
The day culminates in a vibrant flypast by the Royal Air Force, which the royal family view from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The glorious event has been watched by generations of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.
Trooping also gives avid royal watchers the chance to see the modern monarchy in their element – big hats, bright colours, royal waves and all!
Prince William and Princess Anne salute the troops.
