Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor, Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, Prince George and Isla Phillips watch the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 9, 2018 in London Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
If you thought that the most recent royal wedding was one of the greatest spectacles of British pageantry, consider the Trooping The Color, the mother of all lavish monarchic ceremonies, which this year had the added and very anticipated presence of the newest member of the Windsor family, the American Meghan Markle, who made her official debut at the iconic royal balcony in Buckingham Palace.
Meghan and Harry, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, returned from their short honeymoon to participate in the event and joined the senior members of the royal family including the queen, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla and Prince William and Kate Middleton with their older children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Their new baby, Prince Louis, stayed home.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, ride in one of the carriages Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Trooping the Color, an annual ceremony originated early in the history of the United Kingdom as part of the preparations for battle by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies that “trooped colors” or flags as rallying points for soldiers to recognize their units, is also a celebratory parade to mark the queen’s official birthday.
As every year, thousands of spectators flocked to London, lining the Mall hoping for a glimpse of any of the members of the glittering house of Windsor and to cheer and wave as they traveled in procession in luxurious, open, horse-drawn carriages from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back to the palace.
Trooping The Colour along the Mall heading back to Buckingham Palace Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The annual ceremony involved more than 1,400 guardsmen and cavalry Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images
RAF Red Arrows during a fly-by over Buckingham Palace Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images
Coldstream Guards soldier Charanpreet Singh Lall is the first to wear a turban during the ceremony at The Royal Horseguards Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
As the aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows, released plumes of red, white and blue smoke over the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the queen’s great-grandchildren waved and yelled. This year, the 92-year-old monarch, whose actual birthday is April 21, was accompanied on the balcony by four generations of her dynasty.
The queen has never missed the occasion, which dates back to Charles II in the 17th century, with one exception: 1955, when it t was canceled due to a national rail strike.
Next week, Markle will join the queen for their first solo outing together in Cheshire. They will travel by the Royal Train the night before the engagement that includes several appearances. The overnight stay on the Royal Train is seen as a major milestone in the process of the royal family’s acceptance of Markle as an active member.
The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the balcony Photo: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II during Trooping The Colour 2018 Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
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