Prince Louis steals the show again at Red Arrows flypast for Trooping the Colour
The King’s official birthday celebrations culminated in a spectacular Red Arrow flight over Buckingham Palace, a moment eagerly awaited by Prince Louis, who wanted to catch a glimpse of his grandfather.
The annual Colored Troop Ceremony began with traditional military pomp and pageantry at the Horse Guards Parade. This grand display of the military’s ceremonial skill was witnessed by the royal family and thousands of spectators and became a highlight of the royal calendar.
All eyes were on Prince Louis, the youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who is known for his lively presence at major royal events.
From the first floor window of the Duke of Wellington’s former office, the eight-year-old prince was seen leaning down through a half-open window with his siblings Prince George, 12, and Princess Charlotte, 11, and other royals, including the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Below, on the royal dais in the parade ground, stood the King, Queen and Princess of Wales. The Princess of Wales paired her striking wide-brimmed blue-and-white Philip Treacy hat with a matching Catherine Walker gown.
Both royal women paid tribute to their regiments; The Princess of Wales wore the brooch of the Irish Guards, of which she is a Colonel, while the Queen, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, wore a red Fiona Clare dress inspired by their uniform and a black beret with white feathers by Treacy.
Joining the Color is a historic ceremony in which regimental flags, once vital rallying points in battle, are displayed in front of soldiers to ensure recognition. This tradition has evolved into celebrating the official birthday of the head of state.
This year, the King’s Color of the Grenadier Guards, which the King presented earlier in the week, was recruited. The event also served as a social event, with stands around the Horse Guards Parade, which was attended by approximately 8,000 guardsmen and officer family members.
Under the summer sun the King inspected from a carriage more than a thousand guardsmen from the Grenadier, Scottish, Irish and Coldstream Guard regiments and then saluted as the colors passed him.
The traditional flyby of RAF aircraft saw the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent join other royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The air show roared over the palace in 10 waves, joined by Typhoon jets, Chinook helicopters, C-17 military transport planes and Red Arrows trailing their red, white and blue smoke, and four F35-B short takeoff and vertical landing jets.
Dressed in a smart shirt, trousers, tie and double-breasted jacket, Prince Louis was seen tugging at his collar. As the Red Arrows flew overhead, he turned to speak to his family, prompting smiles and laughter from the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Crowds gathered along The Mall to see the royal family, but the area just in front of Buckingham Palace remained free of spectators. Meanwhile, anti-monarchist group Republic staged a demonstration, unfurling umbrellas reading “Stop the Reign” as the royal family stepped onto the balcony.
