LONDON
(AP) — Queen Elizabeth II marked her ceremonial birthday Saturday with the
traditional
"Trooping the Color" parade in the heart of London — and
23-month-old Prince George made his debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The queen
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 George captivated throngs of well-wishers by appearing
on the balcony in the arms of his father, Prince William, who was in full
military garb.
It was
the first time George took part in the royal tradition of gathering the
extended family on the balcony on important national occasions. He was the
youngest person there; great-grandfather Prince
Philip, 94, was the oldest.
Prince
Charles, 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 favorable.
Britain's
Prince William holds his son Prince George, with Queen Elizabeth II, right,
Kate, Duch …
Crowds
gathered outside Buckingham Palace to view the festivities though the day was
cloudy and cool.
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.
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.More pics...
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