Prince steals the show with royal wave from Buckingham Palace balcony as mummy makes her first outing after giving birth to join in Queen's birthday celebrations

Decked out in all their military finery, with bearskins, cavalry and soldiers galore, the Royal family assembled in central London today for the Trooping of the Colour to mark the Queen's official birthday.

But despite all the splendour on show, there was only one star, as gorgeous Prince George made his first appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave at the adoring crowds gathered below alongside the Duchess of Cambridge, making her first appearance since giving birth last month.

The young price was wearing a baby-blue outfit trimmed with white frills, in a deliberate echo of Price William's own outfit when he first appeared on the balcony held by Charles 31 years ago. When George had appeared at the window of the palace earlier in the day, he had been wearing a dark jumper.

Queen Elizabeth waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping of the Colour parade to mark her official birthday, alongside Prince George who delighted the adoring crowds waiting below

The royal family pictured 31 years ago as Prince William was taken on to the balcony for the first time during the Trooping of the Colour while being held by father Prince Charles (left)

Prince George, who was earlier pictured wearing a dark blue jumper, was dressed in a baby blue outfit with frills for his appearance - in deliberate echoes of his own father's outfit in 1984

The parade began at Buckingham Palace before moving through Horse Guards Parade, The Mall and Admiralty Arch to mark the Queen's official birthday.

The monarch, who turned 89 this year, was taken past cheering crowds in a horse-drawn carriage alongside husband Prince Philip, wearing full bearskin hat and accompanying red tunic which he is entitled to wear as he is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

Prince Harry was also pictured dressed in the uniform of the Household Cavalry, where he 

remains a Commissioned Officer, having quite active service at the end of last month.

The annual event has taken place for hundreds of years, but only became associated with the royal family during the reign of Charles II, when it was decided it would mark the official birthday of the monarch

The Queen smiles as she heads back towards Buckingham Palace from Horse Guards Parade after taking part in the Trooping of the Colour

Prince Charles, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Anne, Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, are all due to attend the parade but will arrive on horseback rather than by carriage.

The Queen, who does still ride in her spare time, used to attend the parade on horseback, but switched to a carriage in the late 1980s. 

Trooping The Colour is a military custom which dates back to the time of Charles II, when regiments would have their colours displayed daily to ensure their men could recognise them in battle. 

Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne take part in the Trooping the Colour parade while mounted on horseback. The Queen also used to ride during the parade, but swapped to a carriage in the late 1980s

George III declared that it should take place to mark the king’s birthday, a tradition which continues today. 

Colours, or flags, were trooped past ranks of soldiers so they could be seen and inspected prior to battle, and from the 18th century the tradition was taken up by the soldiers of the royal palaces.

In 1748 it was decided that the occasion would also be used to mark the official birthday of the monarch. The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21. 

Carriages containing members of the Royal Family are paraded past the Household Guard on Horse Guards Parade as part of the Trooping of the Colour parade in London today