(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Queen celebrated her official birthday with the traditional trooping the colour ceremony, as the duchess of Cambridge made her first public appearance since the birth of princess Charlotte six weeks ago.
The monarch, who turned 89 on her actual birthday in April, inspected 1,100 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade in central London.
She arrived in an Ascot Landau vintage carriage after the short drive down The Mall from Buckingham Palace, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh in a bearskin hat.
Wearing a peach and silver dress and coat by Angela Kelly and a matching hat - worn previously for the Diamond Jubilee horse pageant in May 2012 - the Queen later joined members of the Royal family to watch the birthday parade from the balcony of the
The Duchess of Cambridge, who has not been seen in public since Princess Charlotte was born on May 2, rode in a coach with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.
She wore a coat by Catherine Walker and hat by Lock and Co.
In years gone by, the Queen herself has travelled on horseback - but switched to a coach in the late 1980s.
In years gone by, the Queen herself has travelled on horseback - but switched to a coach in the late 1980s.
During the parade, one Foot Guards regiment is selected to carry its flags, or "colours", through the ranks of guards.
This year, the Prince of Wales Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards performed the honours.
The ceremony has been traditionally held in June to improve the chances of good weather. King Edward VII, who moved it, had a birthday in November.
Ironically, though, the Queen's actual birthday - April 21 - saw better weather.
A fly-past, watched by the Royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace from 1pm, saw 31 aircraft - including the iconic Spitfires and Hurricanes - wow crowds.
A display by the Red Arrows concluded the afternoon's events.
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