Camilla and Kate and Harry's Hand

Patience! We will get to the kidlets. First, the parade, at which I assume everyone was MELTING, as it's quite hot in London today, per our sources (AKA, y'all in London who have tweeted us that it's hot today). I think both Kate and Camz look lovely; I actually love this pink on Kate, and she hardly ever wears this color.

Cams and Kate

It also feels so right that Camilla is, as intended by God, wearing a simply enormo hat that appears to incorporate part of a tree.

Prince Harry

Harry was, as usual, accompanying his stepmother and sister-in-law in their carriage, making handsome serious faces.

Eugenie and Beatrice

And this might be a personal best for both of these women, who often punt at this event -- remember that year when Eugenie wore what looked like a paper shopping bag? And then DID IT AGAIN? I am DELIGHTED that they both look so summery today.

Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie

I don't even mind that Bea is wearing a boater -- a hat that is hard for a modern woman to wear well -- that might actually be covered in frosting. Have you a cake on your head, madame?

Chaz and Wills

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Wills and their giant hats and generally heavy regalia are basically, I suspect, just trying not to pass out from the head. They do look rather dashing, though, if unlikely to be able to actually see where they are going.

Princess Anne

"A likely story. From everyone."

The Balcony!

And now to my favorite bits: Everyone wandering onto the balcony to make faces at each other. That's Autumn Phillips in the green, although I thought she was going to prove to be Sophie Wessex when I downloaded the photo. However: I don't think Sophie was there? Prince Edward is there, but I didn't see Sophie or the kids, which is very unusual

The Balcony!

There were several photos of Philip and Kate having a very animated and affectionate-looking conversation, FYI. Whatever they were talking about, it seemed to be good news. There has been Kate Pregnancy Speculation lately, and there is ALWAYS Kate Pregnancy Speculation, so I generally don't pay any mind to it, but there is a photo of her and Phillip talking that made me cock a suspicious brow.

Kate and Prince Philip

'Twas this one. Anyway, whatever's being discussed, everyone seems pleased about it. They may well be noting that FINALLY it's roast beef for lunch.

Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty looks lovely. Her traditional birthday statement this year is more serious than in year's past, quite correctly.

The Balcony!

And here's nearly the WHOLE FREAKING GROUP. (You can click on the photo to see it HUGE if you like.) No Sophie, right? Wills and the Cambridge noodles aren't out here, either -- I assume he was wrangling them inside; this was snappe before everything got totally underway -- so she might be inside with the kids, but I didn't see her at all. I hope they're not all home with food poisoning. 

Harry and Kate and Charlotte and George

Everything about this photo delights me. Harry is in his now usual position of having to Lurk Around In the Background, Looking Vaguely Shifty. Kate's hat has red accents in it, which I love. Charlotte looks totally adorable in her little smocked dress. And George is like, "MOTHER, THIS IS TERRIFICALLY BORING. PLEASE MAY I GO INSIDE NOW AND PLAY WITH THOSE GIANT VASES OF GRANNY'S? THANK YOU."

The Cambridges and Lurking Harry

"HONESTLY MOTHER, ALL WE ARE DOING IS STANDING AND IT'S TERRIFICALLY DULL. PLEASE MAY I GO INSIDE AND PLAY WITH GRANNY'S FISH FORKS? IMMEDIATELY? THANK YOU."

Prince George

Honestly, same.

The Cambridges

This photo is very amusing. I feel like Wills has that benevolent but wary look on his face, familiar to parents (and aunties) throughout time, which says, "yes, yes, you're extremely adorable. Please don't veer off the highway into Meltdown Town."

Harry and the Cambridges

Don't worry, Noodles McGee and Wee Muffinface really perked up once the fly-over happened. (Although Charlotte seemed totally peppy and delightful the entire time.) George's little wave at the planes! SO CUTE. Also, Harry, as ever, clearly delighted in the prospect of airplanes whizzing past. And the underside of everyone's chin really looks quite well.

The Fly-Past!

I mean, it IS a really good fly-over.

The Cambridges and Phillipses

NO ONE'S BORED NOW! (Not even Kate!)

Princess Charlotte and Prince George

In which young Princess Charlotte is blissed out, just thinking about the beautiful mathematical principles of aeronautics, and George is like, "I SUPPOSE I DON'T EXACTLY NEED TO GO BACK INSIDE IMMEDIATELY BUT THANK YOU FOR OFFERING, EVERYONE."

Kate and Charlotte

"It certainly seems reasonable to me that women can be fighter pilots, princesses or not. After all, our reflexes are excellent."

(Almost) All The Brits Come Out for Trooping The Colour, 2017

Kate! George! Charlotte! Harry! Hats! Carriages! Aeronautics!