Princess Kate Shines in Red at Garter Day Service

LONDON -- Britain’s royal family attended the annual Garter Day service today in London after a whirlwind weekend of official events.

Queen Elizabeth II arrived to the service in a chauffeur-driven car along with Prince Philip. Other royal family members attending the service included Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex and Prince William and Princess Kate.

Kate, 34, stood out among the royals in a red coat by Catherine Walker and a red Lock & Co. hat.

It was Kate's youngest child, Princess Charlotte, who stole the show on Saturday. The 1-year-old made her first Buckingham Palace appearance during the queen's official 90th birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour.

Princess Kate, who described her daughter to an onlooker last Thursday as "cute but feisty," cradled the toddler in her arms as Charlotte delighted the crowds with her first royal wave. It's the first time the 13-month-old princess has been seen publicly since her christening nearly one year ago.

Prince George, who made his first balcony appearance last year, played second fiddle to his little sister this year, but still managed to captivate the thousands who lined the streets below.

In a nod to tradition, Prince George, 2, was dressed Saturday in the same outfit that his father, Prince William, wore to Prince Harry's christening 30 years ago. The third-in-line to the British throne, who is reportedly fascinated with helicopters and planes, gave the salute as the Red Arrows and other aircraft made an honorary flyover to celebrate the queen.

It's not clear if Prince George has started to understand his role in life, but he was just as captivated with the crowd as they were with their future king. George was reportedly given a little stool so he could see what was going on below. He was also seen tugging on his father's arm and waving to the crowd as the royal family left the balcony.

Princess Kate wore the same white Alexander McQueen dress she wore to Charlotte's christening and accessorized with a Philip Treacy hat, large pearl earrings and an Empress Mappin & Webb necklace.

The queen, who often wears bold colors, wore a bright green Stewart Parvin coat.

During the procession, Prince Harry accompanied Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in a barouche carriage.

As Colonel of the Irish Guards and Colonel of the Welsh Guards, tradition dictated that Prince William and Charles, Prince of Wales, respectively, lead their regiment through the ceremony on horseback.

While Her Majesty's actual birthday is on April 21, Saturday's Trooping the Colour, held annually to mark the official birthday of the British monarch, has been a tradition in the U.K. since the mid-1700s.

Saturday’s Trooping the Colour included more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. The event occurred on the second day of a three-day celebration to mark the queen’s 90th.

Prince Philip's 95th birthday was Friday.

On Sunday, the royal family attended the Patron's lunch. The street picnic, attended by an estimated 10,000 people, took place on The Mall, a road that stretches between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. Prince William made a heartfelt tribute to his "granny" the queen

"Before I finish, I hope you won't mind if I say a personal thank you to the Queen and to do so on behalf of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren," Prince William said at the picnic. "Granny, thank you for everything you’ve done for your family. We could not wish you a happier birthday."

“Catherine, Harry and I and the rest our family are extremely proud to be here today," the Duke of Cambridge, 33, told the 10,000 people who paid about $225 for the picnic lunch.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip drove in open air Range Rovers down the Mall to greet 10,000 members of the more than 600 charities for which Her Majesty serves as patron.

Prince William and Prince Harry, along with Kate, have taken an increasingly high-profile role as Her Majesty and Prince Philip begin to dial back hosting various events. The royal trio delighted well-wishers as they walked the Mall greeting as many members of the public as possible.

William actually shook every single person’s hand he came in contact with before getting into an open air Range Rover with Harry and Kate. following the Queen and Prince Philip to roaring cheers. Prince Charles and Camilla remained at their home in Highgrove and hosted a similar street party in Gloucestershire as residents around the U.K. were encouraged to host similar street parties in honor of Her Majesty.

“The Queen at 90 is the one head of state that world leaders can turn to for a first-hand perspective of the arc of history over the last six decades," Prince William said, praising his grandmother. "At 90, the Queen is the leader of our country, who we all look up to in good times and in challenging moments to set an example."

“My family has had plenty of reason to celebrate since The Queen turned 90 in April," he continued. "The Queen's strong health and relentless energy; her sharp wit and famous sense of humor; and the fact that the Queen remains very much at the helm of our family, our nation and the Commonwealth.”

As the weekend’s events drew to a close, the Queen showed her trademark sense of humor, saying, "I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes, and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received. How I will feel if people are still singing 'Happy Birthday' to me in December remains to be seen."

The Queen wore a cheery cerise pink coat and bow brooch while Kate donned a Roksanda Ilincic color block dress to greet the crowds.

Many of those who attended the event sat in heavy downpours for hours but the sky opened up and the sun broke through the moment the royal family took to the streets. The event was organized by Peter Philips, Her Majesty’s eldest grandson.

In a very rare moment, the Queen was seen peeking out the Buckingham Palace window to observe what was going on below before she went to greet the crowds.