Kate Middleton Helps Queen Elizabeth II Mark 89th Birthday At 'Trooping The Color' Parade

RTX1GBW2 — Britain's royal family appear Saturday on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. From left are Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Prince William, holding Prince George; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Queen Elizabeth II; and Prince Andrew. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Britain held its annual “Trooping The Color” parade Saturday, marking the 89th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, whose actual birthday was April 21. This year's parade was a big moment for Kate Middleton, who used the parade as her first public appearance since giving birth to Princess Charlotte on May 2.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked slim and stylish in a sky blue and white Catherine Walker Astrid coat dress and a large white hat by Lock & Co., reported Us Weekly, while the queen looked elegant in a peach-colored dress and hat by Angela Kelly. The ceremony was the 63^rd time that the queen has attended the parade in her honor. The event featured more than 1,000 soldiers in the annual display of army drill, music and horsemanship, and involved a majority of the Royal family.

Kate rode in an Ascot Landau open-air horse-drawn carriage with Charles' wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. After the parade, the royal family gathered on the balcony of the Buckingham Palace to watch the rest of the ceremony, which included a 31-aircraft flyover featuring Spitfires, Hurricanes and Typhoon fighters.

According to E! News, Prince George, who was in Prince William’s arms, almost stole the show by making his first public appearance on a Buckingham Palace balcony. The father and son were joined by other members of the royal family, including Prince Harry, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. The young royal waved to the crowd and pointed at the aircraft flying overhead.

The parade is held in June instead of April in hopes of getting better weather, stated Forbes. “Trooping The Color” is a military custom that dates to the time of Charles II, when regiments would have their colors displayed daily to ensure their men could recognize them in battle. The day is an extremely important event to the royal family, which is why Kate ended her maternity leave earlier than expected. The Duchess is also expected to appear in a few select public engagements over the next few months.