Picture the scene. You’re a four-year-old prince, standing on the historic Buckingham Palace balcony with swathes of people cheering and clapping for you.
It’s a warm summer’s day and you’re there surrounded by your family and close cousins as you watch a dazzling flypast go directly over your heads. Exciting, right?
Well that’s exactly what a young Prince William thought at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 1987.
Following the Queen’s return from Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, the Royal Family gathered on the balcony to watch several planes, helicopters and jets fly in the skies of London.
READ MORE: Royal Family: From secret signals to hidden meanings- What is the significance of the Queen’s handbag?
Prince William was practicing for his future in the military at Trooping the Colour in 1987
Prince William was sandwiched between his cousins, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall (nee Phillips) and stood in front of his aunt, Princess Anne.
The young prince looked less than pleased to be at the event as he rested his head in his hands and leant on the balcony.
As the anticipation for the flypast grew, so did the young royal’s excitement.
MyLondon’s brilliant new newsletter The 12 is packed with news, views, features and opinion from across the city.
Every day we’ll send you a free email at around 12pm with 12 stories to keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. It’s the perfect lunchtime read.
The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our 45 journalists cover all the news you need – from City Hall to your local streets.
Never miss a moment by signing up to The 12 newsletter here.
He quickly began to raise his arm in the air and was pretending to throw things into the crowds.
Following a mutual glance and smile between the Princess Royal and her energetic nephew, he continued on his tirades before being encouraged to stop when she leaned down and whispered something in his ear.
While we do not know what was said, it clearly worked as the prince immediately stood to attention in a salute.
You have to listen to Auntie Anne
However, much to the amusement of the crowds and his two cousins, Prince William had saved his greatest performance for last as he began to pretend to fire slingshots at the crowds.
The excitable young royal- and future RAF pilot- also looked to be loading and firing a fake machine gun- much to the entertainment of his elderly relatives.
Prince William wasn’t the last royal to misbehave at this prestigious event. A few years later, Prince Harry opted to cover his cousin, Princess Beatrice’s mouth at the ceremony in 1990.
A move which was copied in 2018 by Savannah Phillips when she wouldn’t let Prince George join in with the National Anthem.
You would think that only young children would show off their naughty streak at an event of this size, but oh how wrong that assumption would be!
READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s touching nod to Princess Diana with Archie and Lilibet necklace in 40th birthday video
Prince William was still getting told off at Trooping the Colour when he was 34
Prince William was 34-years-old and still getting told off by his granny.
He crouched down to explain all the planes to his eldest son, Prince George and the Queen tapped him on the shoulder and said: “William, stand up!”
Trooping the Colour is a military service which has marked the official birthday of the sovereign for over 260 years.
It is an annual event which sees over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians march in front of the Queen on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
MyLondon’s brilliant new newsletter The 12 is packed with news, views, features and opinion from across the city.
Every day we’ll send you a free email at around 12pm with 12 stories to keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. It’s the perfect lunchtime read.
The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our 45 journalists cover all the news you need – from City Hall to your local streets.
Never miss a moment by signing up to The 12 newsletter here.
While the Queen is present, the troops will be inspected and the regimental flag (also referred to as the regimental colour) will be passed down the ranks.
The Queen and other royals will then proceed back up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace and convene on the balcony to watch an RAF flypast, which culminates with the impressive red, white and blue display by the Red Arrows.
Have you ever been to watch Trooping the Colour? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
