Trooping the Colour best pictures: All the pomp and pageantry on biggest royal ceremonial day of year

Pomp and pageantry took over central London on Saturday as the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony was held in glorious sunshine.

Thousands thronged The Mall as a procession carried the King and Queen and other royals to take in the traditional regimental display to celebrate the monarch’s official birthday.

It was followed by one of the highlights of the year for many royal supporters as senior family members gathered on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to recognise the crowds of well-wishers and watch a spectacular flypast.

Here are all the best pictures as the ceremony unfolded:

King Charles III, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince Louis on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (PA)

The Red Arrows flypast over central London (AFP via Getty Images)

King Charles III takes the salute during the march past in front of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour ceremony (PA)

Thousands of spectators on The Mall, including a number of anti-monarchy demonstrators (PA)

The Princess of Wales wore a pale blue Catherine Walker outfit with a matching Philip Treacy hat (PA)

Members of the Household Cavalry, the Life Guards (front) and the Blues and Royals (back) ride along The Mall (PA)

The Prince of Wales riding back to Buckingham Palace (PA)

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duchess of Edinburgh (PA)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla return by carriage to Buckingham Palace following the ceremony (PA)

The Grenadier Guards marching down The Mall towards the Horse Guards ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony (PA)