The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared some stunning behind-the-scenes photographs from Trooping the Colour.

Kensington Palace has shared some stunning behind-the-scenes photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales preparing to leave Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour. The couple, who were joined by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11 and Prince Louis, eight, had an important role in the parade.

While Catherine is the Colonel of the Irish Guards and rode in a carriage with George, Charlotte and Louis, Prince William rode in the parade on horseback in his role as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards. He was joined in this role by his aunt, Princess Anne, who is Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and by his uncle, Prince Edward, who is Colonel of the Scots Guards.

While Prince William looked dapper in his scarlet tunic and bearskin cap, the Princess was the picture of glamour in a tailored baby blue coat dress and matching hat. Meanwhile, King Charles made a surprising appearance in the photographs as he joined Prince William to stroke the horses that were ridden by the Royal Colonels in the parade, Darby, Noble and Sir John.

The Prince of Wales in his ceremonial uniform

Prince William stars in one of the behind-the-scenes photographs, giving royal fans a close-up look at his uniform as Colonel of the Welsh Guards. The Prince of Wales wears his scarlet tunic and bearskin cap with a white and green hackle poking out of the side. The gold braiding on his shoulder is called an aiguillette and shows he is an Aide-de-Camp to the King. William has embroidered symbols of leeks on his collars to represent Wales.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

As the carriages began to leave

The inside of Buckingham Palace’s quadrangle was featured in the behind-the-scenes photographs. The rare view shows the Royal Standard flying above the Palace and guards leaving to join the carriages in the procession, which saw the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis travel together to the parade ground. Prince William, meanwhile, rode to Horse Guards Parade on horseback behind the King as a Royal Colonel.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

The Princess of Wales leaving Buckingham Palace

The Princess of Wales looked the picture of elegance as she left Buckingham Palace in an Ascot Landau carriage with her three children. The Princess wore a baby blue outfit by Catherine Walker, paired with a hat by Philip Treacy and the Irish Guards brooch.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

The family leave in the carriage

The Princess of Wales leaves Buckingham Palace in an Ascot Landau carriage along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince William rode in the parade as Colonel of the Welsh Guards on a horse called Darby. He was joined by Princess Anne on a horse named Noble, while Prince Edward rode as Colonel of the Scots Guards on a horse called Sir John.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

King Charles and Prince William before the parade

The King and the Prince of Wales made a special appearance in the behind-the-scenes images, standing together in their full ceremonial uniforms and admiring the horses taking part in the parade. While Prince William rode on horseback in the parade, the King has opted to travel to Horse Guards Parade in a carriage ever since the second Trooping the Colour of his reign.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

The Prince of Wales in his uniform

The Prince of Wales cut a dashing figure as he walked towards the camera in his full ceremonial uniform as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards. His blue sash denotes that he is a member of the Order of the Garter; meanwhile, his metal badges are the Garter Star, the Thistle Star and the Order of the Bath. His medals represent Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee, Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

King Charles and The Prince of Wales greet the horses

King Charles and the Prince of Wales both stood greeting the horses that were ridden by the Royal Colonels in the parade. The lesser-known details of the King’s uniform are also very clear. He wore the Uniform of the Regiment Trooping the Colour, which was the Grenadier Guards. It bears the cypher Queen Elizabeth II as His Majesty was Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2216307/kensington-palace-trooping-the-colour-pictures