Saturday 9 June 2018

Meghan joins The Queen for first time on Buckingham Palace balcony as the Monarch recovers from cataract operation and ditches her sunglasses to celebrate her official 92nd birthday

  • The Queen will mark her official birthday with the Trooping the Colour at Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade
  • Royal fans will be eager to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who married exactly three weeks ago today
  • Her Majesty, who recently had an eye operation to remove a cataract, will watch from a dais in Horse Guards
  • And later she will join members of monarchy on Buckingham Palace's balcony to watch the RAF flypast
Fresh from their rumoured mini-honeymoon spent in Co. Mayo, Ireland, newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan arrived at Buckingham Palace today for their first formal engagement since their showstopping wedding in May.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to the Queen at the spectacular Trooping The Colour ceremony, in celebration of Her Majesty's official 92nd birthday, for a traditional summer spectacle watched by thousands.
The Queen, who recently had a successful eye operation to remove a cataract, was pictured wearing her usual clear framed spectacles, having spent the previous three weeks wearing shaded lenses following the procedure. 
Harry and Meghan were pictured riding in a carriage together, staged on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade, and later joined members of the monarchy on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the first time together to watch the RAF flypast and acknowledge the crowds.
Harry and Meghan joined members of the monarchy on Buckingham Palace's balcony to watch the RAF flypast and acknowledge the crowds. It is the first time Meghan has stepped out on to the balcony for any ceremonial occaision
All smiles: Kate, Meghan and Camilla shared a laugh on the Buckingham Palace balcony just moments ago
All smiles: Kate, Meghan and Camilla shared a laugh on the Buckingham Palace balcony just moments ago
Princess Charlotte seems upset and is comforted by her mother as the four princes watch on
Princess Charlotte seems upset and is comforted by her mother as the four princes watch on
Fresh from their showstopping wedding three weeks ago, Meghan and Prince Harry will today pay tribute to the Queen at the spectacular Trooping The Colour ceremony today
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Fresh from their showstopping wedding three weeks ago, Meghan and Prince Harry will today pay tribute to the Queen at the spectacular Trooping The Colour ceremony today
Meghan wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy. While Kate wore a dress by Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette BotterillMeghan wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy. While Kate wore a dress by Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette Botterill
Meghan wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy. While Kate wore a dress by Alexander McQueen and a hat by Juliette Botterill
Oi you two! Prince William gives a stern look as Savannah Phillips (daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips) covers Prince George of Cambridge's mouth during the National AnthemLittle Savannah gives a mischievous look as she shushes Prince George
Oi you two! Prince William gives a stern look as Savannah Phillips (daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips) covers Prince George of Cambridge's mouth during the National Anthem
The Duchess of Cornwall watches the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guard from the balcony 
The Duchess of Cornwall watches the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guard from the balcony 
Little rascals! Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips and Prince George giggled while watching the flypast overhead 
Little rascals! Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips and Prince George giggled while watching the flypast overhead 
Tens of thousands of cheering Royal enthusiasts flocked to Whitehall to see the royals mingle on the balcony, with Meghan and Kate sharing a chuckle while Harry watched on. 
Meghan wore a dress by Carolina Herrera and a hat by Philip Treacy. While 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.
The moment RAF pilots got into formation and performed the flypast in front of the royal family who watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
The moment RAF pilots got into formation and performed the flypast in front of the royal family who watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
Tens of thousands of cheering Royal enthusiasts flocked to Whitehall to see the royals mingle on the balcony, with Meghan and Kate sharing a chuckle while Harry watched on
Tens of thousands of cheering Royal enthusiasts flocked to Whitehall to see the royals mingle on the balcony, with Meghan and Kate sharing a chuckle while Harry watched on
Royal fans will be eager to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who have just returned from their honeymoon - joining other members of the royal family at the traditional summer spectacle
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Royal fans will be eager to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who have just returned from their honeymoon - joining other members of the royal family at the traditional summer spectacle
Her Majesty takes her place in the Royal carriage in celebration of her offical 92nd birthday today. Royal watchers will be glad of her appearance, following her minor surgery to successfully remove a cataract 
EditThe loved up pair have not been seen publicly since the wedding, and were rumoured to be enjoying a romantic stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, Canada. According to reports, they finished off their break with a short stay in Ireland, before returning to London
The loved up pair have not been seen publicly since the wedding, and were rumoured to be enjoying a romantic stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, Canada. According to reports, they finished off their break with a short stay in Ireland, before returning to London
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in a vintage Rolls Royce Phantom together this morning. Prince William stepped out in full military ceremonial regalia alongside Kate who wowed in a sophisticated teal dress
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in a vintage Rolls Royce Phantom together this morning. Prince William stepped out in full military ceremonial regalia alongside Kate who wowed in a sophisticated teal dress
Moving along the procession 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.
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.
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall take their place in the Queen's carriage procession, which celebrate's Her Majesty's official 92nd birthday
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall take their place in the Queen's carriage procession, which celebrate's Her Majesty's official 92nd birthday
After the ceremony the royal family will head back to Buckingham Palace and gather on the balcony to watch the RAF flypastAfter the ceremony the royal family will head back to Buckingham Palace and gather on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast
After the ceremony the royal family will head back to Buckingham Palace and gather on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast
The royal colonels, all on horseback, will accompany the Queen: 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 GuardsThe Queen is pictured smiling at her boys Charles, Andrew and William riding horseback alongside her
The royal colonels, all on horseback, will accompany the Queen: 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. The Queen is pictured smiling at her boys Charles, Andrew and William riding horseback alongside her
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.
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. 
Royal flush: Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne make their way long the parade on horseback 
Royal flush: Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew and Princess Anne make their way long the parade on horseback 
Royal wave: Meghan was pictured fine tuning her royal wave alongside a grinning Harry at Buckingham Palace this morning
Royal wave: Meghan was pictured fine tuning her royal wave alongside a grinning Harry at Buckingham Palace this morning
The 7,500 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.
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.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at The Royal Horseguards during Trooping The Colour ceremony
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at The Royal Horseguards during Trooping The Colour ceremony
Princess Anne cuts a stern figure draped in full ceremonial regalia 
Princess Anne cuts a stern figure draped in full ceremonial regalia 
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, the 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 battleWhile 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.
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, with woman woman arrested after throwing an object at the procession.
Scotland Yard said that a woman has been arrested after an object was thrown at the Trooping the Colour procession.
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.' 
Crowds look on as soldiers of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade
Crowds look on as soldiers of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade
Duchess of Cornwall watches the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guard from the balcony
Duchess of Cornwall watches the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guard from the balcony
The annual event will see more than 1,000 soldiers taking part in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry. The colour being paraded this year is the flag of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
The annual event will see more than 1,000 soldiers taking part in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry. The colour being paraded this year is the flag of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
The procession will be 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
As with previous years, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall took part in the Queen's carriage procession.
The procession will be 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 massed bands of the Household Division will provide musical backing during the day and also taking part is the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery who, following the parade, will fire a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen's official birthday.A Coldstream Guards soldier who will wear a turban as he parades during Trooping the Colour has said he hopes it is looked upon as a 'new change in history'.
More than 1,000 soldiers will take part in the ceremony which marks the Queen's official birthday on Saturday as the nation honours the monarch.
For Guardsman Charanpreet Singh Lall the event is not only his first Trooping the Colour, but also marks the first time a member of the Coldstream Guards has taken part wearing a turban.
The 22-year-old from Leicester told the said: 'I hope that people watching, that they will just acknowledge it and that they will look at it as a new change in history.
'I hope that more people like me, not just Sikhs but from other religions and different backgrounds, that they will be encouraged to join the Army.'
A member of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, the turban he will be wearing during Trooping the Colour will be black, featuring the ceremonial cap star to match the bearskin hats.Gdsm Lall who joined the British Army in January 2016, was born in Punjab, India, and moved to the UK as a baby, said he is feeling 'quite excited' ahead of the event.
'I'm quite proud and I know that a lot of other people are proud of me as well,' he said.
'It is a good feeling... there's going to be a lot of eyes and I am going to have an influence on other people.'Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for battle.
Colours, or flags, were carried, or 'trooped', down the ranks so they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
In the 18th century, guards from the Royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to 'troop the colours', and in 1748 it was announced the parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday.
This year the ceremony, which is staged every June in London's historic Horse Guards Parade, will see the Colour of the 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards being trooped.With weeks of rigorous training under his belt, on the day he and many other soldiers will wear immaculate uniforms and march with precision up the Mall and onto parade.
Gdsm Lall added: 'For myself, being the first turban-wearing sikh to troop the colour and to be part of the escort it is a really high honour for myself, and hopefully for everyone else as well.'
He revealed his family including his mother, father and sister, who are 'really, really proud' of him, will be coming to watch him take part.
'My mum was crying on the day I passed out so I wonder what is going to happen to her when she sees me in this,' Gdsm Lall added. 

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