Six pictures that caught the eye

As the King’s official birthday was marked in London with the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony, most eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she made her first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.

Crowds waved flags as the parade moved from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade.

Members of the Royal Family processed on horseback and in carriages.

So as rain poured down on more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, 400 musicians and a dog – what images caught the eye?

King Charles, whose actual birthday is in November, reviewed the troops from an Ascot Landau carriage rather than on horseback, as he did in last year’s celebration.

If you were hoping to offer His Majesty a gift on his 74th, it might be wise to have a look at the protocol the royals must stick to.

In the past, the Queen received a painting of a swimming pig, a raffia hat and a gold-plated horse comb.

Prince Philip was once given a personalised Air Force One jacket by President and Mrs Trump.

The Band of the Irish Guards, led by an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor (after an ancient High King of Ireland) but affectionately known as Seamus, marched the troops into the world’s oldest occupied castle, Windsor Castle.

The Old Colours were marched off parade and the New Colours were laid on a drum stack altar.

This emulates the makeshift battlefield ceremonies performed in historical conflicts before marching to meet the enemy.

The King then presented the Colours to two junior officers – Lieutenants Harry Winterbottom and Monty Badger.