Prince Louis steals the show at Trooping the Colour for the Queen's birthday

Prince Louis stole the show at the Trooping the Colour for the Queen's birthday.

The one-year-old was filmed waving to the thousands of spectators from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as planes flew over for the annual ceremony.

The Duchess of Sussex has also made her first appearance at an official royal event since giving birth to son Archie, joining her husband at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend Trooping the Colour. Credit: PA

Meghan left Buckingham Palace in a carriage also carrying Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge en route to Horse Guards Parade.

Trooping the Colour marks the Queen’s official birthday.

Harry and Meghan shared a carriage with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge. Credit: PA

The Queen's official birthday was celebrated with a Trooping the Colour parade.

After a week commemorating the sacrifices of Britain's military 75 years ago on D-Day, the roles were reversed with the Queen honoured by officers and soldiers from prestigious regiments.

The royal colonels, all on horseback, accompanied the Queen: The Prince of Wales, colonel of the Welsh Guards; the Princess Royal, colonel of the Blues and Royals; the Duke of Cambridge, colonel of the Irish Guards, and the Duke of York, colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

She was joined by members of her family who, along with thousands of spectators, watched the display of pomp and pageantry in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

Harry and Meghan make their way to Horse Guards Parade. Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA
It was Meghan’s first appearance at an official royal event since welcoming baby Archie Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

Young Prince Louis made his first appearance with the royal family on Buckingham Palace’s balcony to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday – and stole the show.

After the Trooping the Colour ceremony, where the monarch’s 93rd birthday was celebrated with a display of military pomp and pageantry, the 13-month-old prince was carried by his father the Duke of Cambridge onto the first-floor vantage point.

Prince Louis captures the attention of crowds at the Trooping the Colour event. Credit: PA
Crowds enjoy the colourful display at Buckingham Palace. Credit: PA

The Queen, who celebrated her 93rd birthday in April, watched the Trooping ceremony from a dais in Horse Guards Parade and inspected the lines of guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskins.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who celebrates his 98th birthday on Monday, has retired from official public duties and is not expected to attend.

Around 1,400 soldiers took part in the spectacle.

The colour, or ceremonial regimental flag, being paraded this year is from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Soldiers head from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade ahead of the ceremony. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA
Members of the Household Cavalry also took part. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA
Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA

The Queen travelled to and from Horse Guards Parade in a procession accompanied by a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, made up of the Life Guards and Blues and Royals, in their silver and gold breastplates and plumed helmets.

The massed bands of the Household Division provided musical backing during the day and also taking part was the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery who, following the parade, fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park to mark the Queen's official birthday.

Prince Philip is not expected to attend alongside the Queen as he has retired from public duties. Credit: PA
The Queen's carriage arrives to celebrate her official birthday. Credit: PA

After the ceremony, the royal family headed back to Buckingham Palace and gathered on the balcony to watch the RAF flypast.

More than 20 aircraft took part, including modern jets and historic aircraft, while the Red Arrows were the finale.

Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for battle.

Colours, or flags, were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.

In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily at Horse Guards Parade to "troop the colours" and in 1748 it was announced the parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday.