‘The first King’s birthday parade since 1951, our first one in 72 years and the first time the King has taken the salute since 1950’ Major Lt Col James Shaw
Making history at his first official Birthday Parade as monarch and supported by members of his family, the King took part in Trooping the Colour on horseback last week.
Riding out from Buckingham Palace, His Majesty became the first reigning monarch to attend on horseback since 1986, when Queen Elizabeth II, then aged 60, rode her beloved steed Burmese – a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – to the ceremony for the final time.
Despite being nearly 15 years older than his mother then was, the King, 74, was determined to ride in the parade, as he has done since 1975.
He showed expert horsemanship as he appeared on Noble – also a gift from the Mounties earlier this year – patting her reassuringly to calm her nerves as they set off.
Kate gave a nod to her role with the Irish Guards — a gold shamrock badge on her dress
The Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were first to appear, to cheers
