Adorable alert! Prince George steals Queen's birthday show

Britain's Prince Willian holds Prince George, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in central London. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

An excited Prince George watched his first Trooping the Colour parade to mark his great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's birthday in London.

The two-year-old, third in line to the British throne, watched from a window at Buckingham Palace as the Queen travelled by a horse-drawn open carriage alongside husband Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Willian holds Prince George as he waves from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Prince George later joined the royal family on the balcony of the palace to wave to the crowds. His mother Kate Middleton also made her first royal appearance since the birth of sister Princess Charlotte last month to mark the traditional event held in mid-June to commemorate the Queen's actual birthday on April 21.

Hundreds gathered to witness the ceremonial ride and loud cheers went up as a carriage carrying the Duchess of Cambridge Kate, the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla and Prince Harry left the palace.

Prince William rode on earlier on horse-back with his father Prince Charles.

Britain's Camilla The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Willian holding Prince George, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince Andrew stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after attending the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in central London. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

The event marked the first time the Queen has been seen at her birthday celebrations with her heir Prince Charles and heirs apparent -- Prince William and Prince George.

More than 1,000 soldiers took part in the traditional display of army drill, music and horsemanship. The Royal Air Force said most of the flypast had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

'Trooping the Colour' has its origins in traditional preparations for battle. Colours, or flags, were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.

An excited Prince George is held by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo as he watches the ceremony from the window of Buckingham Palace. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In the 18th Century, guards from the royal palaces assembled daily on Horse Guards to "troop the colours", and in 1748, it was announced that the parade would also mark the sovereign's official birthday.

The Queen's actual birthday was on 21 April, when she turned 89. The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 94th birthday on Wednesday. It is the 63rd time the Queen has attended a birthday parade, a record unmatched by any monarch. Joined by all other senior royals, the monarch inspected 1,100 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.

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