Kate Middleton and the Royals at Trooping of the Colour

The entire British royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Prince Harry, turned out to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday.

Although The Queen’s birthday is actually in April, for the last couple hundred years the monarchs have chosen to celebrate their public birthday sometime in early summer, to ensure good weather for thousands of members of the public that celebrate with them.

Trooping of the Colour Fly Over
Trooping of the Colour Fly Over

Her Majesty is generally accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. However, as he is recovering from a recent abdominal surgery she was, instead, accompanied by her first cousin Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth Arriving With Duke of Kent
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II arrived in a covered carriage with heir cousin Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent.
Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Kent
Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by her cousin The Duke of Kent, viewing the soldiers.

For her part, The Duchess of Cambridge – who we may not see again until after she gives birth to her baby next month, looked stunning in a pink coat dress and hat ensemble. She arrived via horse drawn carriage with Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Harry.

Kate Camilla and Harry Arriving
Kate Camilla and Harry Arriving via Horse Drawn Carriage
Camilla Kate and Harry In Carriage
Camilla Kate and Harry In Carriage

The York Princesses, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, also arrived via carriage, looking absolutely stunning and quite happy.

The York Princesses Arriving

The Earl and Countess of Wessex also arrived – with their children – via horse drawn carriage.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex
Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, and his wife Sophie, The Countess of Wessex.

Prince William was joining his father, Prince Charles, as well as his aunt, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, in the processional.

Prince William and Prince Charles
Prince William and Prince Charles
Prince William Princess Anne Prince Charles
Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales in their ceremonial uniforms
Princess Anne and Prince Charles
Princess Anne and Prince Charles

One the processional was completed, all of the royal gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to view the traditional RAF flyover.

Lady Louise and Viscount Severn
Lady Louise and Viscount Severn viewing the flyover.
Trooping of the Colour 2013 - Balcony
The British Royal Family watching the RAF flyover.

Images courtesy of Daily Mail.