GALLERY: The best Trooping the Colour 2016 moments

June 8, 2016Jun 8, 2016, 12:31 PM GMT+1

This Saturday sees the return of the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, and this year's event will be especially remarkable as the Queen celebrates her milestone 90th birthday. Her Majesty, who turned 90 in April, will be joined by members of her family including Prince Philip, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, among other royals. It's likely that William and Kate's son Prince George will make an appearance, but will their one-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte also make her debut? As the countdown begins to the Queen's official birthday celebrations, we take a look back at the highlights from past events...

In 2015 Prince George thrilled crowds when he made his debut on the palace balcony at Trooping the Colour. The youngster, who turns three next month, was carried by his proud dad Prince William.

George wore the same pale blue outfit that William wore at Her Majesty's Birthday Parade in 1984. The little cutie appeared fascinated by the RAF flypast, pointing up at the sky and throwing his head back to get a better view. And of course the young Prince gave an adorable wave at the throngs of royal fans who had gathered at the Palace's gates for the grand occasion, causing a huge roar of delight.

Prince Harry showed off his cheeky side at Trooping the Colour in 1988. Much to Princess Diana's mild bewilderment, Harry playfully stuck out his tongue while he bounced up and down in his mum's arms.

At three years old Harry was adorable, matching his mother in a white and green outfit.

Fast forward 27 years and Prince George called to mind Prince Harry, when Harry was a mere youngster.

George looked the double of his fun uncle as he stuck out his tongue and watched the celebration from the window. The little boy was in the safe hands of his Spanish nanny Maria who looked highly amused by her young charge.

The Queen's youngest child Prince Edward was only three months old when he attended his first Trooping the Colour.

Her Majesty cradled her little bundle of joy in her arms as she presented Edward to the crowds below – and the newborn seemed to acknowledge the excitement as he gave a royal wave to the nation.

Less than two months after marrying Prince William, Kate made her debut at Trooping the Colour in 2011.

The Duchess certainly looked like one of the family as she made her appearance on the palace balcony – the first since her spectacular wedding day.

Looking supremely relaxed and elegant as always, Kate was the focus of attention. She wore a fitted white coat and wide-brimmed hat and showed off her fresh honeymoon tan.

The Queen, who was still Princess Elizabeth at the time, was 21 when she first attended the ceremony in 1947.

She made her first Trooping the Colour salute in 1951 (pictured), and has not missed a ceremony in 63 years except for when the entire parade was cancelled due to a national rail strike in 1955.

For the first time ever in 2011, Prince William took part in the parade that traditionally precedes the balcony appearance.

And, though the Prince admitted to some nerves beforehand, he carried off his role with aplomb, resplendent in a red tunic identical to the one he wore to get married, marking his appointment as Colonel of the Irish Guards, as well as a bearskin cap. Confidently mounted on a grey charger named Wellesley, he rode alongside the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent and the Princess Royal.

Expectant parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana attended their first Trooping the Colour as a married couple in 1982.

Only nine days later they welcomed their first son, Prince William, on 21 June.

The Queen had a wider smile than usual at the 2012 ceremony and she had good reason. Her husband Prince Philip was making his return to official duties after being treated for a bladder infection in hospital.

Her Majesty, who was dressed in a summery ensemble, looked delighted to have her husband back at her side. Philip, dressed in his uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, appeared in very good spirits. Royal aides had said that the Prince was "determined" to accompany the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee year birthday celebrations.

Here in 1987 Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, shared a laugh – and a penchant for wide hats – while Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Peter Phillips, Princess Anne and Prince William watched the crowds gathered below.

With the excitement over welcoming their first child in full gear, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge couldn't hide their happiness at 2013's Trooping the Colour.

Less than a month later, they became proud parents to son Prince George.

The Queen proudly held her third child Prince Andrew at the 1961 ceremony. The youngster was making his debut at 16 months old.

Buckingham Palace's balcony was a children's zone in 1985, as the ever-growing Windsor clan showed off its next generation of royals.

Prince William (front centre) is joined by his nine-month-old brother, Prince Harry, plus second cousin Frederick Windsor (left) and cousin Zara Phillips (far right).

Three generations of royal ladies attended the 1933 festivities, with Queen Mary (L), her daughter-in-law Elizabeth, the Duchess of York (R) and granddaughters Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth riding together in a carriage towards St. James's Palace.

It was a festival of hats in 1991 as Princess Diana was joined by other members of the royal family including the Duchess of York and Sarah's daughter, Princess Beatrice.

The balcony was busy in 1980 with a host of royals taking in the flypast.

From left: Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, Princess Michael of Kent, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Anne with her son Peter Phillips and Alexander, Earl Of Ulster.

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