A young Prince William looks just like his sons, Prince George and Prince Louis, when he attended his first Trooping the Colour in 1984.
Just days before his 2nd birthday, the future king made his first appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for the annual RAF flypast as part of festivities for the Queen’s official birthday. With his blonde hair and smiling face, all we see is his now-11-year-old son George and 7-year-old Louis.
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The young Prince of Wales joined his father, then-Prince Charles, and mother, Princess Diana, as well as members of the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret.
Throughout his balcony appearance, William spent time with both of his parents, who were standing on opposite sides of the balcony. In some photos, the almost-2-year-old looked out to the crowd from his father’s arms.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales holds young Prince William on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 16, 1984 in London, England.
In other photos, William stood in front of Princess Diana, who was pregnant with Prince Harry at the time, and looked over the balcony with his cousin, Peter Phillips.
LONDON – JUNE 16: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Diana, Prince William, Peter Phillips and Lord Frederick Windsor on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping The Colour on June 16, 1984. (Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images)
1987, shortly before his 5th birthday, William rode in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour parade for the first time, joining Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. In 2011, William began riding on horseback in the parade alongside his father and his aunt, Princess Margaret.
However, in 2024, the tradition of senior royals riding on horseback appeared to pause King Charles’ ongoing cancer treatment. Last year, Prince William rode in a car alongside his kids and wife Kate Middleton, who was making her return to public duties amid her cancer treatment.
Before you go, click here to see the best photos of the royal family at Trooping the Colour over the years.
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