22 of the most memorable moments on the Buckingham Palace balcony
From Trooping the Colour to royal weddings, lots has happened on this iconic balcony.
In June, members of the Royal Family join the Queen on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, an event which marks the monarch's official birthday. It makes for a family photo like no other, but it's not the only important occasion to involve a balcony moment.
The anniversary of the Queen's coronation is yet another occasion where the royals gather on the balcony, as are royal weddings. Prince Charles and Princess Diana broke with tradition and were the first ever royals to kiss on the balcony after their wedding in 1981. Since then, other royal couples have done the same, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following their wedding at Westminster Abbey in April 2011.
From cheeky royal children (we're looking at you, Prince George) to stunning outfits from Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana, here are a few of the highlights on the royal balcony from over the years.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte steal the show
When Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined the senior members of the royal family for the Queen's 91st birthday celebrations in 2017, they were of course the cutest ones on the balcony. Charlotte matched her mum for a second year, this time in a pink printed dress, while George looked utterly unimpressed by the annual Trooping the Colour flypast.
Charlotte makes her debut
Princess Charlotte made her balcony debut in 2016, when she colour co-ordinated with her mum, the Duchess of Cambridge, in pale pink. However, the moment the Queen appeared to scold her grandson, Prince William, in front of hundreds of onlookers, had to be the standout moment of the day.
George spots planes
Prince George fulfilled the royal rite of passage at the Queen's official birthday parade in June 2015, just before his second birthday. The flypast proved to be a good distraction from the thousands of well-wishers watching from below.
The next generation of royals take centre stage
Just five figures stood with the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. With Prince Philip in the hospital, it was Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry that stepped into the limelight. This was said to be a strong message from the Palace on the future of the royal family.
The Duchess of Cambridge makes her first balcony appearance
Just two months after she married her prince, Kate returned to the Buckingham Palace balcony for her first appearance at Trooping the Colour in June 2011.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's balcony kiss
The first kiss at a royal wedding is up there with the most anticipated moments of the day, and this image of William and Kate did not disappoint. Disgruntled bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem helped to make it even more memorable.
Trooping the Colour gets a bit too much
Before George and Charlotte came along, Estella Taylor (daughter of Lady Helen and Timothy Taylor), was the star of Trooping the Colour in 2010.
When Meghan Markle graced the balcony
Meghan Markle's first appearance on the royal balcony made headlines over the world
When the Fab Four appeared together
The Fab Four - the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - watched a flypast to mark the centenary of the RAF.
When Prince George stole the show
Prince George didn't even make it on to the balcony in 2015 but he still stole the show from the window.
When Prince Louis graced the balcony at Trooping of the Colour
Prince Louis made everyone laugh when he joined his family on the balcony for the first time in 2019.
Prince William's first Trooping the Colour
Prince William looked adorable in his father's arms at Trooping the Colour in 1984.
The Queen Mother turns 100
On 4 August, 2000, the Queen and Princess Margaret joined the Queen Mother on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark her 100th birthday. Thousands of well-wishers travelled to the capital to cheer for the nation's most celebrated centenarian.
Prince Harry's first balcony
Prince Harry made an appearance at Trooping of the Colour in 1985 when he was barely a few months old. Prince William also looked adorable in a sailor outfit. Sweet.
When Prince Harry let his true feelings show
Trooping the Colour 1988 will always be one of our favourite Prince Harry moments.
When Prince William and Prince Harry stole the show
The young princes looked adorable as they waved to the crowds in 1989 for the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson tie the knot
The newlyweds carried out the balcony tradition after their Westminster Abbey wedding on 23 July, 1986.
Prince Charles marries Princess Diana
It went down as one of the most famous weddings in royal history, with 750 million people around the world tuning in to catch a glimpse of Charles and Diana on the balcony on 29 July, 1981.
A royal wave with baby Prince Edward
The Queen waved to the crowds with her then three-month old son, Prince Edward, in her arms at Trooping the Colour 1964. She was joined by her husband Philip and a young Prince Andrew.
Princess Margaret's wedding makes history
On 6 May, 1960, Princess Margaret married Anthony Armstrong-Jones. It made history as the first royal wedding to be broadcast on television, with an estimated 300 million viewers watching the big day.
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