Queen Gets Best Birthday Present as Philip Joins Celebrations

by Tom Sykes Jun 16, 2012 9:06 AM EDT

Royal Birthday in London

Par7167967 — Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip watch the troops ride past outside Buckingham Palace following the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour' at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 16, 2012. The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. In 1748, it was decided that the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign. More than 600 guardsmen and cavalry make up the parade, a celebration of the Sovereign's official birthday, although the Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April (Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images)

Despite looking a little on the frail side, Prince Philip joined the annual celebrations in London today known as "Trooping the Color" to celebrate the Queen's official birthday.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a chic silver-grey Erdem dress and daring Jane Corbett hat.

Par7167907 — Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives to Buckingham Palace after the Queen's Birthday Parade (Tal Cohen / AFP / Getty Images)

146471988DK007_TROOPING_THE — Prince Harry (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)

146471988DK005_TROOPING_THE — Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

146471988DK010_TROOPING_THE — Queen Elizabeth II gestures and Charles looks skywards as it begins to rain, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)

1,600 officers and soldiers in the traditional uniforms of the Household Cavalry, Royal Horse Artillery and Foot Guards took part in the magnificent parade in central London, to record crowds, evidence of a Jubilee spike in the monarchy's popularity.

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Tom Sykes is a writer and journalist, and he edits The Royalist blog for the Daily Beast. Tom has worked for many publications, including a stint as a nightlife reporter and gossip columnist for the New York Post. He has written several books, most recently helping John Taylor of Duran Duran write and edit his autobiography, published by Dutton. Tom lives in London and Ireland.

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About the Author

Tom Sykes

THE ROYALIST, updated several times daily, reports on all aspects of the British Royal Family. With breaking news and the latest gossip, great pictures and informed commentary, the Royalist is essential eyeballing for fans of the world’s most famous family.