Thousands in London for Trooping the Colour spectacle

AP  |  London 

and his new wife, the former Meghan Markle, joined the pageantry of the annual ceremony today in to celebrate Elizabeth II's official birthday.

The duke and duchess, who married three weeks ago, made the short trip from to Horse Guards Parade in a horse-drawn carriage as royal fans lining the Mall cheered and waved.

After the event, the couple joined other members of the royal family on the palace's front balcony to watch the fly by.

The 92-year-old queen, who recently had a operation, watched the ceremony from a dais and inspected the lines of guardsmen in bearskin hats and scarlet tunics who offered her tributes. Her husband, Philip, has retired from royal duties and did not attend.

The ceremony originated from traditional preparations for battle.

Flags, or colours, were "trooped" so soldiers in the ranks would be able to recognise them.

The Queen's actual birthday is April 21.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, June 09 2018. 18:15 IST