QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Little Royal troopers

THE Queen was joined by the youngest members of the Royal Family as she marked her official birthday at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.

But Her Majesty also acknowledged the “succession of terrible tragedies” to beset the country in recent months.

Under blue skies and brilliant summer sunshine in the capital, the Queen observed the centuries- old military spectacle of might, splendour and precision marching on Horse Guards Parade, Henry VIII’s former jousting yard.

William and Kate’s children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, watched open-mouthed from the Palace balcony as the RAF performed a fly-past.

The event is an important day in the armed forces’ calendar, at which families and friends of the officers and soldiers on parade proudly watch the ceremony. But with the nation reeling from the Grenfell Tower inferno, that has claimed at least 58 lives, and the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, the monarch issued a message to recognise the feelings of many.

Before she arrived, the wives, girlfriends and other relatives of the men on the parade ground rose as one to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the fire.

The Queen said in her message: “Today is traditionally a day of celebration. This year, however, it is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood. In recent months, the country has witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies.

“As a nation, we continue to reflect and pray for all those who have been directly affected by these events.” Earlier, a cheer from the hundreds gathered in nearby St James’s Park and The Mall had signalled the Queen’s carriage procession was approaching, with the monarch riding in an Ascot landau, along with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

A few minutes earlier, the Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla and Prince Harry had travelled together in another car- riage, while in a third was Prince Andrew with his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, plus Prince Edward. Prince Charles, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Anne, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and Prince William, Colonel of the Irish Guards, were all on horseback. Buckingham Palace said Sophie, Countess of Wessex, could not attend due to a private engagement. Five Guardsmen had to be stretchered off Horse Guards Parade after fainting in the sweltering heat. Dressed in his full uniform, including a bearskin, one soldier fell forward out of his formation as temperatures soared to 25C in nearby St James’s Park. As the band marched towards his position, the guardsman, in the second row, collapsed to his knees before landing face down with his hands to his side. His colleagues maintained position as the ceremony continued around him. Three soldiers then walked to his aid. One removed his bearskin before the guardsman was lifted on to a stretcher a minute after he fainted.

At least four other guardsmen at the event are believed to have fallen victims to the higher-than-average temperatures, also fainting.

An Army spokeswoman said: “It is an extremely hot day and all were removed from the parade and checked by medical staff, where they were hydrated.”