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Trooping the Colour: the most memorable moments in pictures

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prince george1© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Charlotte's debut

The adorable little Princess made her debut on the palace balcony at just 13 months old. Charlotte, who is the Queen's youngest great-grandchild, was the picture of cuteness in a pink frock.

She was held by her doting mum Kate and behaved impeccably, showing no signs of fear as the RAF planes roared above her.

The Cambridges showed once again that they were the nation's golden family, with Prince William and Prince George also making a sweet appearance.

george william© Photo: Getty Images

Prince George's outfit

Last year Prince George attended his first Trooping the Colour, wearing the same outfit that his dad William wore at Her Majesty's Birthday Parade in 1984.

This year George once again recycled one of his father's childhood outfits from the same year. The little Prince, who turns three next year, wore a round-collared white shirt and blue shorts.

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A fallen guard

The muggy weather and pressure of performing for the Queen was all too much for one guard, who suddenly collapsed and fainted at Horse Guards Parade. The poor lad was quickly attended to and taken away on a stretcher by fellow officers.

The bearskin cap, which Prince Philip also donned, is 18 inches tall and weighs 1.5 pounds, or just over half a kilo, so it's no surprise that the heat becomes unbearable for some users.

Over the years guards have been known to faint, with men pictured falling at the 1957, 1963 and 1970 Trooping the Colour ceremonies.

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Thousands of wellwishers

The Queen usually has a remarkable turnout at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony that serves as her official birthday celebration. But as it was her 90th this year, even more wellwishers made the effort to flock to central London to wish Her Majesty the happiest of birthdays.

Thousands of royal fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace and along the Mall, and whooped and cheered as the Queen and the royals appeared on the palace balcony to watch the flypast.  

Copyright: Ministry of Defence

tindall balcony© Photo: PA

Mike Tindall's debut on the balcony

Princess Charlotte wasn't the only royal making their debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Retired rugby star Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara, made his first appearance on the balcony alongside the Queen and other senior royals.

prince george2© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen's concern for Prince George

The caring Queen had a look of concern as her great-grandchild Prince George leant over the balcony at Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the crowds below.

Prince William acted fast and gently pulled his son back and later knelt down to explain the RAF flypast.

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James, Viscount Severn takes part in parade

As this year's Trooping the Colour was an extra special event, the Queen was supported by all members of her family. Her youngest grandchild James, Viscount Severn took part in the parade for the very first time.

James, eight, has appeared on the palace balcony in the past but he has never ridden in a carriage at Trooping the Colour.

The young Viscount joined his older sister Louise, twelve, and his parents Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex in the Balmoral Landau carriage.

The route took them from Buckingham Palace down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade and back.

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The Queen's vibrant outfit

The Queen made sure that the thousands of fans who had waited for hours outside Buckingham Palace and along the Mall had the chance to catch a glimpse of the monarch.

The 90-year-old wore a green dress and coat by Stewart Parvin and a matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan – a look that the palace described as "vibrant green".

flypast© Photo: Getty Images

The spectacular RAF flypast

Steeped with tradition, Trooping the Colour always ends with the Queen and royal family standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF flypast.

This year was even more magnificent, as the royals observed tens of aircraft soar above them including two Spitfires, four helicopters and the Red Arrows.

Princess Charlotte, who was making her debut on the palace balcony, covered her ears as two Tornados flew overhead.

The Queen looked particularly thrilled when The Red Arrows closed the display with their trademark red, white and blue smoke. The national anthem played and crowds gave three massive cheers.

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