The Duke of Kent on Buckingham Palace balcony to welcome King Charles at Trooping

The Duke of Kent was on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to see King Charles return from Trooping the Colour.

Prince Edward, 88, looked on from the centre of the balcony as his cousin arrived at the Palace from the spectacular ceremony which had taken place at Horse Guards Parade.

It was a poignant moment on a day that had seen huge crowds turn out for the annual parade.

King Charles had been cheered as he made his way down the Mall in a horse drawn carriage at the start of the procession. Queen Camilla, in white, was at his side.

The Princess of Wales followed in a landau with her three children. Prince George, soon to turn 12, sat with his younger brother Prince Louis, 7, for the short journey from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Ten year old Princess Charlotte was at Kate’s side for the trip.

They travelled along the Mall which was decked in union flags for the event which marks the Monarch’s official birthday.

The Sovereign’s Birthday Parade traces its roots back to the 17th century. Now, it is one of the most famous military processions in the world.

Prince William rode on horseback to the parade ground as did his aunt, Princess Anne, and his uncle, Prince Edward.

The Duke of Kent rode in Trooping the Colour for many years and his direct involvement stretches past that.

In the last part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, he sat on the dais with her to take the salute. In 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic meant that Trooping had to take place in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle with reduced numbers, the Duke of Kent was invited to join the late Queen for the event. It was the first Trooping to take place since the death of Prince Philip and the two cousins were able to support one another at an emotional time.

His daughter, Lady Helen Windsor, said that the Duke was at first surprised that his cousin asked him to carry out such an important task but that the rest of the family understood exactly why he had been given such an honour.

In 2022, the Duke of Kent was at the side of Queen Elizabeth II for her final Trooping. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations began with the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade that year and although Elizabeth II didn’t travel to Horse Guards, she walked on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to see her troops return and to take a salute there. The Duke of Kent was with her for that historic moment.

The Duke of Kent has also been loyal to King Charles III and been in attendance at all the Troopings of his reign. He often stands with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh during the event now and has a strong friendship with Edward and Sophie.

This year’s parade took place in glorious sunshine with Horse Guards Parade bathed in warm weather. King Charles sat on a dais for the event – it is unlikely he will ever ride at Trooping again. He is now 77 years old and is still undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Queen sat with him as did the Princess of Wales who wore a striking shade called St. Patrick’s blue in a nod to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward were on horseback near the dais.

After the ceremonial was over, The King returned to his carriage for the trip back to Buckingham Palace. As King Charles oversaw the third Sovereign’s Birthday Parade of his reign, the Duke watched him take a further salute from the gates of the Palace.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Sir Tim Laurence joined the Duke of Kent on the balcony for the salutes.

Later, the whole Royal Family emerged to watch a spectacular flypast which ended with a patriotic display of red, white and blue smoke from the Red Arrows.