The Cambridges
I had to open with this shot. It makes me laugh EVERY time I see it. George, my well-coiffed little royal noodle, you are an expressive little muffin and here you are REALLLLLLLLLLY BORED waiting for the fly-over. (Charlotte, on the other hand, turns out to LOVE being in public! This is the best, she thinks. So much waving! I'm FANTASTIC at waving!)
I hope it goes without saying that I ALSO always enjoy the hallowed Trooping the Colour Tradition that involves Harry weirdly lurking behind people, as if he is scheming revenge in a soap opera.)
The Cambridges, Harry, and The Queen
There he is! I think this is the first time we've ever seen Harry in such close proximity to the kids and I WANT MORE. I want you to give them piggy back rides down the Mall tomorrow, Harry. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
(This also seems like as good a place as any to note that I love the Queen's outfit today. We know she wears bright colors so everyone can see her, and this was obviously chosen for maximum visibility. She can possibly be seen on the space station.)
The Cambridges and Harry
Everyone is getting ready for the flyover! (We know Harry loves a flyover, from years past; Kate is surely explaining what is about to happen to the kids, but looks like she is about to burst into "Rolling With the Homies." Charlotte is merely reflecting on the deliciousness of her own fingers.)
The Flyover!
This seems like a good spot for INFORMATIVE CAPTION! Ahem: "Members of the British Royal Family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in front of spectators to watch a fly-past of aircrafts by the Royal Air Force during Trooping the Colour, this year marking the Queen's 90th birthday...The ceremony is Queen Elizabeth II's annual birthday parade, and dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century, when the Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle."
The Cambridges and part of Harry's Head
Can you even see, Harry, past your brother's head? (I know he wants to hang out with his part of the family, and rightly, but I just need him to scootch over to the side a little. Let me see that ginger beard!)
And as for George...
Prince George
YES HE IS SALUTING. This is too cute for me to be able to adequately handle on a weekend.
The Cambridges
"MUMMY, DADDY, I LOVE A FLY-PAST VERY MUCH. IT'S TERRIBLY THRILLING. PLEASE HAVE THOSE PILOTS FLY OVER US AGAIN, PLEASE, RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU!"
Camz and Kate
Shall we rewind to the parade? (I wanted to open with George. Obviously.) Honestly, you guys, if Camilla were ever to show up to one of these things in a tiny little cocktail hat, I would cry. I love how she always wears something the size of a soon-to-be-discovered planet on her head. As for Kate's hat, it is (per our friends at What Would Kate Do?) Philip Treacy. I kind of love it. It's REALLY dramatic but so spring-y and romantic. I would totally wear that bonkers hat. (I might pass on her little DirecTV dish earrings, though.)
Ye Sisters York
Speaking of bonkers hats, Beatrice's makes me want Doritos (in fairness, I always want Doritos). On the other hand, Euj looks FAB. That color is great on her.
Princess Anne
I say this yearly, but it also occurs to me yearly: It strikes me that Anne is a person who might be relieved that she gets to wear an awesome uniform and DOESN'T have to figure out some foofy dress and hat combo for this particular event.
Some Hot Dude
I have no idea who this is -- Informative Caption merely notes, "a soldier looks out of an upper floor window onto Horse Guards Parade to watch the Queen's Birthday Parade" -- but I do know that he is gooooooood-looking and I wanted to share.
QE2 and Phil
This photo felt very touching. At 90 and 95, still strolling out to the balcony together. May we all be so sharp and ambulatory (and celebrated) at 90.
The Assorted Family
If you'd like to see this photo all enormous and move around and zoom, please click here. (I am not sure if that's going to work on mobile; we are working on that, though, eventually.)
Assorted Royals Continued
This balcony is getting crowded. (Also, if you want to see this one all huge, click here. If you ever want to see a giant version of any picture, it's "view original" under the photo.)
Assorted Royals Part III
Here, you can see both Sophie and Zara as bookends in white. Who is the young man in the sailor suit? He looks sharp!
The Wessexes
In which Harry slinks past on his way to think profoundly about something. Is Sophie wearing a wreath? Is this Step One in the Camilla-ization of Sophie's head? As ever, I love Lady Louise for looking as if she's left Little Women at an extremely pivotal moment and she's dying to get back to it.
Princess Michael of Kent, Etc
Here, we've got Lady Gabriella Windsor, Lord Frederick Windsor, Sophie Winkleman (Lord Frederick's wife), Princess Michael of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent, whose hat looks like a salute to Ursula the Sea Witch. Remember how last year, she had to wear an eye-patch, and she had a VARIETY of them, all of which coordinated with her ensembles?
Wills and George
That might, in fact, be what George and his father are discussing right here.