Soldiers parade with beards at Trooping the Colour for first time in 100 years

Trooping the Colour, the King's official birthday celebration, has marked the first time in more than 100 years that soldiers on parade have been allowed to have a beard.

During Saturday's parade several soldiers at Horse Guards Parade were seen sporting moustaches and beards underneath the straps of their bearskins.

The rule change, which applies across the Army, was approved by the King earlier this year. Prior to that, facial hair was only allowed for religious, medical or role-specific reasons.

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The policy change took place in March and was backed by General Sir Patrick Sanders when he was Chief of the General Staff.

Personnel are free to sport neat facial hair as long as they tell their chain of command they intend to grow a beard and it has to look good within two weeks.

The official celebration of the King's birthday is the highlight of the Armed Forces' ceremonial calendar.

Trooping the Colour has been an annual event since 1760, having originated at a time when beards were a norm in the British military.

This year's Trooping the Colour featured more than 1,250 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians.

Despite heavy rainfall across central London, the event proceeded as scheduled, with the celebration culminating in a flypast by the RAF.

The Royal Family, including the Princess of Wales making her first public appearance since Christmas Day, watched the flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.