A show of pomp and ceremony: With a wave and a salute, Prince Philip rejoins the Royal Family for the Trooping the Colour parade
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The Royal Family were reunited in magnificent style today as Prince Philip rejoined their ranks for his first major event since he was hospitalised during the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.
The Duke of Edinburgh looked in good spirits as he waved to the crowds of thousands after spending a week in hospital with a bladder infection and being forced to miss some of spectacular events marking 60 years of the monarch's reign.
The Queen brought extra cheer to her official birthday celebration, in defiance of the gloomy weather, wearing a primrose yellow coat and dress by Angela Kelly with matching hat, displaying her Brigade of Guards brooch.
She has now worn the outfit on three different occasions, including to the Royal Wedding last year - obviously taking a leaf out of the thrifty Duchess of Cambridge's book.
Long may she rain: The whole family assembled in the drizzle around the Queen on Buckingham Palace balcony following her Birthday Parade
A show of strength: The Queen and her recovering husband salute the troops riding past outside Buckingham Palace following Her Majesty's Birthday Parade
Greeting the crowds: Prince Harry entertained the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge and the merry group waved to the crowds on the Mall
Kate herself looked radiant in a silver-grey Erdem dress and avant-garde Jane Corbett hat, while the Duchess of Cornwall recycled the silver and aqua Fiona Clare outfit she wore to the Jubilee concert, paired with a sparkling choker.
Thousands turned out for the Trooping the Colour parade - a traditional military display of pomp and pageantry - to see Guardsmen and the senior royals in their finery.
The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Whitehall with the Queen in a glass coach, after having been discharged from hospital a week ago following treatment for a bladder infection.
The royals then watched an hour-long tattoo performed by 1,600 soldiers and horse riders in traditional military uniforms.
Her Majesty's men: More than 600 members of the Guard march with their weapons at Horse Guards Parade, in an annual event that began during the reign of King Charles II
Pomp and ceremony: Prince William and Prince Charles looked stately on their horses, left, while Princess Anne wore a fine hat topped with a feather
Novel headwear: Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice also wore unusual hats as they travelled with their father Andrew, Prince of York
Red, white and blue: Royal Air Force planes fly over the Palace as the celebrations fill the heart of London in a huge year for the Queen
Blue skies ahead: The royals stare upwards as the RAF flypast fills the air during a fantastic show following the Trooping of the Colour
The couple were due to travel in Queen Victoria's 1842 ivory-mounted phaeton carriage but changed due to the 'unpredictable nature of the weather', a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
The coach, built in 1881, was first used by the Queen and Duke on their wedding day when they travelled from Westminster Abbey to the palace on November 20 1947.
Thousands of people, including friends and family of those taking part, packed into seats and stands around to watch precision marching by the Guardsmen.
The Queen took the royal salute as senior members of the royal family looked on.
Patriots: Hordes of people filled the Mall during the parade in a repeat of the scenes at the Jubilee
God Save the Queen: The monarch gazes out at a splendid view, left, while valiant Prince William salutes from his horse, right
Marching in her honour: 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards troop the colour during the parade
The soldiers are lined up for the parade in full regalia. The parade is always held on a Saturday in June
Traditional scenes: The Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge arrive by carriage with Prince Harry
Modern princess: The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a silver-grey Erdem dress and avant-garde hat as she smiled and waved to the masses
The Duke wore a full ceremonial dress as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards while Prince William and Prince Charles travelled on horseback looking imposing in bearskins.
The Prince of Wales has been awarded the highest rank in all three military services by the Queen. The Queen appointed Charles honorary five-star rank in all three services to acknowledge his support in her role as Commander-in-Chief.
He is now a Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the honorary promotion.
The Princess Royal, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards looked regal as they too rode proudly in the parade.
Starring role: The Duke of Cambridge, Prince of Wales and Duke of Kent left Buckingham Palace looking excited over the day ahead
Special moment: Prince Harry grinned from a carriage in military garb, left; Eugenie wore a coral jacket and brown feathery hat, front right, and Beatrice opted for a vibrant rolled headpiece of blue and magenta, just seen
Flowery Queen: Her Majesty seemed delighted to have her husband back by her side for the stately event
Devoted pair: Prince Philip and the Queen were back together after a worrying week of separation while he was in hospital with a bladder infection
Happy birthday: The Queen was radiant in primrose yellow while Prince Philip wore full military garb on his first major public engagement since he left hospital
Terrace talk: The Duchess of Cornwall looked a little ill at ease sandwiched between Kate and Harry, who chatted eagerly on the balcony - just as they did during the Jubilee celebrations
Formal occasion: The Queen and Prince Phillip arrive at Horse Guards Parade to see row of soldiers in red, black and gold
Prince Philip even put on a bearskin with his medals for join in the formalities, left, while David Cameron watched with wife Samantha, who looked classically elegant in a white knee-length dress, black cocktail hat and cream platforms
Radiant Kate, 30, watched admiringly alongside a waving Camilla and Prince Harry as her husband arrived on horseback to take part in the parade as Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Other senior royals watching the proceedings included the Duke of York with his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - who also chose unusual hats, perhaps with less success than the fashionable Duchess.
Despite a few spots of rain, the weather was vastly improved from the rain-drenched River Thames Pageant at the height of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, when Prince Philip was taken ill.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who celebrated his 91st birthday last Sunday, stood beside the Queen as she inspected the long line of troops wearing their famous red tunics and bearskins.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a salute in Green Park after the Queen's Birthday Parade
Smoke and guns: a total of 41 guns were fired in the Queen's honour
Land of hope and glory: The throng of well-wishers gasp and cheer as the RAF trail the British colours over Buckingham Palace at the end of another magical royal event
The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards was the flag of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, led by Major Mark Lewis.
Some 1,600 officers and soldiers in the traditional uniforms of the Household Cavalry, Royal Horse Artillery and Foot Guards took part in the parade.
More than 200 horses and around 290 musicians from 10 bands and corps of drums took part while guests including Prime Minister David Cameron and the King of Jordan watched.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery then fired a gun salute in Green Park, while the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-round gun salute from the Tower of London to mark the Queen's official birthday.
She and the Duke of Edinburgh were greeted by cheers from the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace as they emerged on the balcony with senior members of the royal family to watch the traditional RAF flypast.
Ray of sunshine: The Queen wearing the same Angela Kelly outfit in Canberra, Australia, last October, left, and at the Royal Wedding last April, right
Prince Philip waved and smiled from the balcony of the royal residence, wearing a red military jacket with a blue sash and gold epaulettes.
He looked alert during the event marking the Queen's birthday, after his illness overshadowed the later stages of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier this month, forcing him to miss a star-studded pop concert held outside the palace.
Singer Elton John, one of the concert's performers, had joked before going on stage that the prince's illness might have been a ruse: 'He hates pop music - anything to get out of a pop concert.'
The Queen celebrated her actual birthday on April 21, when she turned 86, but today's ceremony marked her official birthday, which is always in June.
She first took the royal salute in 1951, when she deputised for her sick father, George VI, and has continued receiving the mark of respect every year except 1955, when there was a national rail strike.
Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for battle. Colours, or flags, were carried, or 'trooped', down the rank so that it could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to 'troop the colours', and in 1748 it was announced that the parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday.
Perfect poise: Classy Camilla and Kate were stylish enough to outshine the colourful parade in subtle shades of silver, blue and grey
Dignified: Thousands of onlookers, including important visitors, took photos and cheered as the Queen and Prince Phillip drove past
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