Meghan shares a laugh with her new extended family during her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Photo / Getty Images
Meghan shares a laugh with her new extended family during her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Photo / Getty Images
The Duchess of Sussex made her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony today, alongside Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen celebrating her 92nd birthday, and an assortment of playful young royals.
Fresh from their rumoured honeymoon spent in Co. Mayo, Ireland, the newlyweds cut happy and relaxed figures as they paid tribute to Her Majesty at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, at Whitehall's Horse Guard parade.
The Queen, who flashed a wide smile after seeing Charles, Andrew and William, as well as Princess Anne ride horseback past her carriage for the procession, was finally able to ditch her sunglasses following a cataract operation three weeks ago.
Harry and Meghan were pictured riding in a carriage together, where the new Duchess had the opportunity to show-off her royal wave, and then joined her new in-laws on the balcony for the first time to watch the RAF flypast.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at Buckingham Palace. Photo / Getty Images
Although the dramatic aerial display proved unmissable viewing for the older royals, many of the younger brood found other ways to entertain themselves, including endless chatter from Prince George - who had to be shushed by the 7-year-old great-granddaughter of the Queen, Savannah Phillips.
Princess Charlotte found the event overwhelming and needed comforting by her doting mother Kate.
However, the event did not go without mishap; 79-year-old Field Marshal Charles Guthrie fell from his horse and landed heavily on his head as he rode outside the palace earlier in the day. He was rushed to hospital where his condition remains unknown.
And a 52-year-old woman was taken into custody after throwing an object at the procession as it passed by.
Lord Guthrie, former Chief of Defence Staff, 79, receives medical attention after he fell off his horse. Photo / Getty Images
Tens of thousands of cheering enthusiasts flocked to Whitehall to see the royals mingle on the balcony, with Meghan and Kate sharing a chuckle while Harry watched.
Meghan wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy and Kate wore a dress by Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette Botterill.
Camilla was in a pale blue silk dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield and a hat by Philip Treacy, and the Queen wore a sky blue coat and dress by Stuart Parvin and a hat by Angela Kelly.
Moving along the procession earlier today, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge were in a carriage together while a third carried Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Countess of Wessex and her daughter Lady Louise.
Queen Elizabeth II and members of the British Royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade. Photo / Getty Images
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Photo / Getty Images
Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial spectacle that brings together prestigious regiments and the families of the serving men and women in celebration of the monarch's official birthday.
Stands lining Horse Guards were filled with the wives, girlfriends and parents of the servicemen who, when not performing ceremonial duties, are fighting soldiers.
Meghan, Harry and the other members of the royal family took their place in Wellington's former office which overlooks the parade ground.
The Queen soon made her entrance onto Horse Guards in an Ascot Landau after making her journey from her famous London home Buckingham Palace.
The parade makes its way up The Mall from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace. Photo / Getty Images
Her procession was accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, made up of Life Guards and Blues and Royals, in their silver and gold breastplates and plumed helmets.
The 7500 guests seated in stands lining the parade ground stood as a mark of respect as the monarch arrived and began inspecting the massed ranks of the troops.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who celebrates his 97th birthday on Sunday, has retired from official public duties and did not attend.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during Trooping The Colour 2018. Photo / Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II during Trooping The Colour 2018. Photo / Getty Images
But the Queen was accompanied by the royal colonels, all on horseback: Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Also riding in the ceremony for the first time was the Duke of York in his new role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
Among the guests was Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Prime Minister Theresa May normally attends but is at a G7 meeting of world leaders in Canada.
The colour trooped this year was the flag of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for battle.
Colours, or flags, were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
The RAF Flypast at the Trooping of the Colour. Photo / Getty Images
In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to "troop the colours", and in 1748 it was announced that the parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday.
The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21 when she turned 92.
The massed bands of the Household Division and the Mounted Band of the Household Calvary provided the musical backing for the ceremony.
Also taking part was the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who will fire a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen's official birthday.
Meghan Markle makes her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Photo / Getty Images
The colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the Guardsmen marched past the Queen, first in slow then in quick time.
As the ceremony came to an end, the thousands in the stands were treated to the sight of the Blues and Royals and Life Guards from the Household Cavalry Regiment.
The mounted soldiers and officers in their gleaming breast plates and plumed helmets rode past the Queen with the horses throwing up dust.
Not all event-goers were on their best behaviour however. Scotland Yard said a woman had been arrested after an object was thrown at the Trooping the Colour procession.
Meghan shares a laugh with her new extended family during her debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Photo / Getty Images
A spokesman said: "A 51-year-old woman was arrested for a public order offence after an item was thrown towards a procession at the Trooping the Colour.
"She is currently in custody at a central London police station."
In honour of Her Majesty's birthday, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) performed a 21 gun salute to celebrate Queen's Elizabeth II's Birthday holiday weekend at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
