Trooping the Colour in pictures as crowds gather to celebrate King's birthday. The royal family will join thousands of spectators in Whitehall for the annual event.
This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony has an added layer of celebration as three services will be brought together to mark King Charles' anniversary as the head of the monarchy. Some of the military's most prestigious regiments will descend on Whitehall in central London this morning, while members of the royal family will watch on along with thousands of spectators.
The crowds, many of which have already started to gather for the annual event, will be treated to the sight of a royal carriage procession along The Mall as the King, Queen and the Princess of Wales, likely to be joined by her children, are guarded by a Sovereign's Escort provided by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Riding in the formation will be the royal colonels – the Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards; the Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals; and the Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel of the Scots Guards. Guardsmen in their scarlet tunics and bearskin caps will deliver a display of precision marching on Horse Guards Parade, honed over weeks of practice and part of their ceremonial duties when not fighting soldiers.
The national celebration is one of the highlights of the royal calendar and later will feature the royal family assembled on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the traditional fly-past of RAF aircraft.
The celebrations get underway
Musicians from the Massed Bands of the Household Division parade.
The royals begin to arrive at Whitehall
Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their children arrive at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour.
Thousands are expected to descend on Whitehall today for the annual event
Crowds gather ahead of Trooping The Colour.
