> ROYAL BIRTHDAY
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth waves to well-wishers along with Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Duchess of Cambridge Kate and Prince Harry during the Trooping The Colour parade that marked the Queen’s official birthday at Buckingham Palace in London on Saturday. —
london — Queen Elizabeth has marked her ceremonial birthday with the traditional “Trooping the Colour” parade in the heart of London.
She was joined by senior royals including the Duchess of Cambridge, who made her first appearance in public since leaving the hospital with newborn Princess Charlotte six weeks ago.
There was no sign of Charlotte but 23-month-old Prince George waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony along with other royals.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne were on horseback for the start of the annual ceremony, later joining the others on the balcony.
The queen turned 89 on April 21, her actual birth date, which is traditionally marked in private, with a public celebration held in June, when London’s fickle weather is more likely to be favourable. Throngs gathered outside Buckingham Palace to view the festivities though the sky was cloudy and there was a cool breeze.
Elizabeth, wearing a peach and silver coat dress with a matching hat, inspected 1,100 soldiers from the Household Division at the Horse Guards Parade grounds near the palace.
She arrived in an open-topped Ascot Landau carriage with her husband, Prince Philip.
The Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton, wore a blue and white dress by Catherine Walker and a whimsical white hat by Lock and Co. for the occasion. She arrived with Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles.
Kate and William and their two young children have spent much of the time since Charlotte’s birth at their country retreat on the queen’s estate at Sandringham in rural Norfolk. William has resumed his job as an air ambulance pilot after taking a break for paternity leave. —