Prince Louis steals the show as King Charles and other royals watch flypast from Buckingham Palace balcony

Bill McLoughlin17 June 2023

Prince Louis stole the show yet again as the charismatic young royal thrust his fists into the air as the Royal Family witnessed the flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

King Charles received the official birthday wishes of the nation during his first Trooping the Colour ceremony as monarch on Saturday.

The sight of a monarch riding throughout Trooping the Colour had not happened since 1986 when the Queen rode her charger Burmese for the final time.

As he was joined by other members of the family for the flypast, the cheeky five-year-old Louis appeared to enjoy watching the 70 aircraft fly over the palace.

Not only did he thrust his fists towards the crowd, but also saluted to the thousands packed into the Mall for the official birthday of the monarch.

Getty Images

Another great moment was the sight of aircraft associated with the Second World War, with Spitfire and Hurricane fighters flying with a Lancaster bomber, all from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

As the planes roared overhead Kate encouraged Prince George to wave to the crowds and she smoothed down Prince Louis’ hair and ushered him to turn and face the spectators.

The finale was precision formation flying from the Red Arrows who trailed red, white and blue smoke over the capital.

PA

One of the highlights of the flypast above Buckingham Palace saw 18 Typhoon fighter jets spelling out the King’s monogram “CR” for Charles Rex.

The event featured around 1,500 soldiers in total and hundreds of Guardsmen were lined up on the parade ground waiting to be inspected by King, who will be joined by the mounted royal Colonels, including the Queen and Kate in a carriage.

For the first time since 1989, all five regiments of Foot Guards - the Welsh, Scots, Irish, Coldstream and Grenadier - were on parade together for Trooping.

The colour, or regimental flag, that will be trooped in front of hundreds of Guardsmen and officers will be the King’s Colour of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

Among the guests was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and senior military figures.

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