Meghan makes balcony debut at Trooping the Colour
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched the Trooping the Colour with the Royal Family to mark the Queen's official birthday.
Saturday 9 June 2018 20:38, UK
The new Duchess of Sussex has joined the Royal Family for her first Trooping the Colour, marking the Queen's official birthday.
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, who married three weeks ago, rode in a carriage in procession with Catherine and Camilla, the Duchesses of Cambridge and Cornwall, as well as the Duke of Kent, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.
It was also a first for the soldiers, as Guardsman Charanpreet Singh Lall became the first to wear a turban during the annual spectacle.
The 22-year-old Sikh said he hoped the day would mark a change in history.
He added: "I hope that people watching, that they will just acknowledge it and that they will look at it as a new change in history.
"I hope that more people like me, not just Sikhs but from other religions and different backgrounds, that they will be encouraged to join the Army."
He is a member of 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards, a regiment which can trace its roots back to the New Model Army in the 1600s.
The regiment was being trooped today, with about 1,400 soldiers taking part, alongside 200 horses and 400 musicians.
While it was his first, it was the last Trooping the Colour and last day in the job for Drum Major Steve Staite, who has taken part in the event 17 times.
He joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in June 1979 and was appointed Drum Major to the Queen in 1995.
His career of nearly four decades has included the duty of guarding Rudolf Hess's cell at Spandau Prison, and involvement in the Queen Mother's funeral, the 2012 Olympic Games and Prince William's wedding.
The unexpected heat of the day led to one rider fainting and falling off his horse.
The Ministry of Defence said Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, 79, was taken to hospital by ambulance, after the fall near the Victoria Memorial.
He was sent off with a cheer from the crowds.
After the carriage procession, Prince Harry and Meghan took their place on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal Family.
The Queen made her appearance for the RAF flypast, and appeared to gasp in unison with her new granddaughter-in-law when the Red Arrows went overhead.
The Duke of Edinburgh was not with them, having retired from public duty.
As Royal Colonels, Princes William, Charles and Andrew rode on horseback while the Queen was in her carriage.
The Duke of York rode for the first time, marking his new role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was joined by his US counterpart James Mattis during the proceedings in central London.
Also on the balcony during the flypast were Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, Catherine and William's children George and Charlotte, the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and her children, Lady Louise and James, and Savannah and Isla Phillips, daughters of Peter and Autumn Phillips.
Savannah, who is seven years old, was spotted covering Prince George's mouth during the national anthem. The two youngsters, and Charlotte, later clapped, cheered and waved at the planes as they flew overhead.
Meghan wore a pink, off the shoulder dress by Carolina Herrera, with a hat by Philip Treacy, while Kate returned to old favourite Alexander McQueen for her day look with a hat by Juliette Botterill.
Camilla wore a pale blue silk dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield, and a hat by Philip Treacy.
Trooping the Colour marks the Queen's official birthday. Her actual birthday is in April, when she turned 92.
The event stems from the traditional preparations for battle.
Colours, or flags, were carried, "trooped" down the rank to be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces would assemble daily, on Horse Guards, to troop the colours. The parade first marked the sovereign's official birthday in 1748.