George, Charlotte and Louis join parents for Trooping the Colour procession debut

Watch: Camilla, Kate, Charlotte, George and Louis arrive for Trooping the Colour

All three Cambridge children have taken part in the Trooping the Colour procession for the first time.

Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, joined their mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duchess of Cornwall, in the first carriage for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee birthday parade along The Mall in London.

It was known that all five Cambridges would appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony, alongside their grandmother and other members of the Royal Family, for the fly-past but their participation in the royal procession itself came as a surprise to the public.

Read more: Trooping the Colour 1951-2021 - best Royal Family photos

While travelling from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, the Cambridge children appeared to be enjoying the crowds and sense of occasion as they smiled and waved to the crowds.

Louis, sandwiched between his older brother and sister, behaved exceptionally well considering his young age. All three siblings dipped their heads and saluted the colour on their way past so had clearly been well-schooled in how to handle the event ahead of time.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II  in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. (Getty Images)
(L-R) Prince George of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge ride in a carriage during the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations in London on June 2, 2022. - Huge crowds converged on central London in bright sunshine for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's historic Platinum Jubilee, in what could be the last major public event of her long reign. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
George, eight, and Charlotte, seven, sat either side of their younger brother Louis, four. (Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02: Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour during Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.(Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
George wore a suit, Louis a sailor top and Charlotte a blue dress. (Getty Images)
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, her children Britain's Prince Louis of Cambridge, Britain's Prince George of Cambridge, Britain's Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, and Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall travel in a horse-drawn carriage during the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Trooping the Colour, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in London on June 2, 2022. - Huge crowds converged on central London in bright sunshine on Thursday for the start of four days of public events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's historic Platinum Jubilee, in what could be the last major public event of her long reign. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
One aerial view photo showed Princess Charlotte protectively placing her arm across her younger brother, Louis. (Getty Images)

George looked the image of his father in a smart navy blazer and pale blue tie, which fitted perfectly into the colour pallette of the carriage.

Charlotte took on her role at the back of the carriage with aplomb, grinning and waving at the crowd as she went down the Mall in her pale blue dress.

It featured a sweet but subtle bow at the collar but was largely simple in structure, showing her growing into her role as a young public-facing royal.

Read more: 17 times Princess Charlotte stole the show

Louis wore a sailor-style outfit that once belonged to Prince William, often reserved for the royal children and based on the style worn by the Royal Navy. The white top features a large collar with a striped navy edging, and a neckerchief beneath the collar.

As is tradition with the royal children, the youngest boys tend to wear shorts for public occasions.

“Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on younger boys are one of the silent class markers that we have in England,” etiquette expert William Hanson told Harper's Bazaar.

Prince George, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge (right) leave Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as the Queen celebrates her official birthday, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Picture date: Thursday June 2, 2022.
Prince George and his two siblings were accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge in the procession. (PA)
The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor leave Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as the Queen celebrates her official birthday, on day one of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Picture date: Thursday June 2, 2022.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor rode in the second carriage. (Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 02:  Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Charles during the Trooping the Colour parade  on June 02, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952.  (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
Prince William rode a horse behind the three carriages as part of the Trooping the Colour royal procession. (Getty Images)

Two other carriages were involved in the procession. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex were in the second carriage along with their two children: the Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor and The Viscount Severn.

Read more: God Save the Queen lyrics - the words to the national anthem

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were in the third carriage, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Three horses brought up the rear, ridden by Prince Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne.