King Charles inspects soldiers at his first Trooping the Colour as monarch

The ceremonial Trooping the Colour has taken place at Horse Guards Parade in London, to mark King Charles' first official birthday as sovereign. 

The celebration featured more than 1,500 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians and was also the first time in almost 40 years that a monarch has ridden on horseback at the event.

The late Queen, who King Charles deputised for at last year's celebrations, was the last head of state to ride a horse during the ceremony in 1986. 

Alongside the King on horseback were the Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards; the Princess Royal, Colonel of The Blues and Royals; and the Duke of Edinburgh, riding for the first time in his role as Colonel of the 1st Battalion London Guards.

Also in attendance, but travelling via carriage, were the Queen, who is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and the Princess of Wales, as Colonel of the Irish Guards, along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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The National Anthem was played to mark the start of the ceremony, then the King began inspecting the lines of guardsmen on the parade ground, casting a critical eye over the soldiers, formed in two lines, as he rode past.

For the first time since 1989, all five regiments of Foot Guards – the Welsh, Scots, Irish, Coldstream and Grenadier – were on parade together for Trooping.

After the inspection, the colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the guardsmen marched past the King.

The musical backing for the ceremony was provided by the Massed Bands of the Household Division and the Mounted Band of the Household Calvary.

As the ceremony came to a close, the King led members of the Royal Family onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where they waved to the thousands of spectators who had lined The Mall.

The celebrations then closed with the traditional RAF fly-past.