A HISTORIC FIRST BIRTHDAY PARADE FOR OUR KING

THE ROYAL FAMILY SUPPORT KING CHARLES III AT HIS FIRST TROOPING THE COLOUR AS MONARCH

- MICHELLE GARNETT & REBECCA RUSSELL

As the royal family gathered on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony on Saturday, cheers erupted from the crowds gathered on The Mall to celebrate the first Trooping The Colour Parade of King Charles III's reign.

From their vantage point towards Admiralty Arch, the King and Queen were greeted by a sea of waving Union flags and an exuberant "hip, hip, hooray". The moment bore an unmistakable resemblance to the grandeur of King Charles' coronation just over a month ago. But the day was also tinged with poignancy and reflection as it marked the first birthday parade in seven decades without his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, present.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!, "It's one of those major milestones in King Charles' reign, but it's mixed with the significance of knowing that this was his mother's official birthday for those 70 years. The first time anything is done with King Charles and Queen Camilla, without the presence of the principal loved one, is always incredibly moving."

Even though the late monarch's absence was undoubtedly felt, King Charles looked wonderfully composed. He was supported by 13 close family members, all soaking up the jubilant atmosphere.

The King was resplendent in his full ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards, while Queen Camilla's red coat dress by Fiona Clare reflected the heritage of the Grenadier guards, of which she's Colonel. Her rank insignia featured on the epaulettes of the dress, while her Philip Treacy hat was a nod to the bearskin cap her husband wore during the parade, with a "grenade" exploding up to a feathered plume.

But it was King Charles' three eldest grandchildren who stole the show once again. Accompanied by their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, eagerly watched the highly-anticipated RAF flypast in honour of their Grandpa Wales.