Platinum Jubilee: Prince William almost unrecognisable in parade

Fans almost missed seeing Prince William at the Trooping the Colour parade on Thursday, when the royal joined his father Prince Charles and aunt Princess Anne on horseback.

The future king, 39, was almost unrecognisable in his military uniform and tall bearskin hat which covered part of his face.

The prince made his way along the Mall as he fulfilled his role as Colonel of the Irish Guards. The three royals sat on horseback as they inspected the British troops on Her Majesty’s behalf before receiving their first salute.

For the first time in the Queen’s history, she was not there to directly receive the salute herself, with her son Charles taking over her role. Instead, William, Charles and Anne received the salute on her behalf.

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His wife Kate Middleton arrived separately for the event, opting to ride in a carriage alongside the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate’s children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a recycled Alexandra McQueen blazer dress for the festivities. Royal fans would remember that the duchess first wore this outfit at the Eden Project in Cornwall for the G7 reception in 2021.

In a nod to the late Princess Diana, Kate also chose to wear a set of sapphire earrings that previously belonged to Diana.

The family were reunited on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the Queen and other senior working royals. The Queen was pictured smiling as she waved to the general public.

Fears over the Queen’s health

However, there have now been new fresh fears around the Queen’s health, after it was announced that she won’t be attending a major Platinum Jubilee event due to “discomfort”.

Her Majesty will not make an appearance at the Service of Thanksgiving, which is taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday. The palace said the decision to pull out was made with “great reluctance” and blamed the Queen’s ongoing mobility issues, after considering the “journey and activity required” for the event.

The announcement came just hours after Her Majesty appeared on the Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour, where she was seen using a walking stick. While she appeared to enjoy the ceremony, the palace alluded to her mobility issues in their statement.

“The Queen greatly enjoyed today’s Birthday Parade and Flypast but did experience some discomfort,” the palace began.

“Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrow’s National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.”

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