Today’s Trooping the Colour event brought a special treat: Prince George’s first appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
Stephen Lock/I-Images/Polaris
The annual event honors the Queen’s official birthday with an extraordinary display by her Armed Forces.
©2015 MOD/Crown Copyright
As the day’s parade unfolded Prince George was seen reveling in the pageantry. Chris Jackson of Getty Images captured the moment and shared it on Twitter.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images
The toddler is in Nanny Maria Borrallo’s arms, obviously wowed by the ceremony. In this photo it appears George is wearing the Baby Alfie Cardigan at Trotters. The cotton cardigan is by Thomas Browne, it features a button front adorned with two perky tugboats.
Trotters
Our thanks to Prince George Pieces for their ID of the toddler’s cardigan.
When it came time to watch the flyover George was a bit more subdued, probably taken aback by the immense crowds and accompanying noise.
Stephen Lock/I-Images/Polaris
He seemed particularly enchanted by the dramatic fly past.
©2015 MOD/Crown Copyright
For his historic appearance at Trooping the Colour Prince George wore the same blue ensemble his father wore to the event in 1984. Kensington Palace noted the significance in this tweet.
Kensington Palace Twitter (@KensingtonRoyal)
Polaris Images
The outfit features a short-sleeved top embellished with a delicate ruffle at the cuff and collar, with shorts that button onto the top.
A better look.
Polaris Images
But it looks like the outfit goes back much further than just 1984. It appears that it was Prince Charles who actually wore the lace-trimmed ensemble first, back in 1950. A number of iconic photographs by Cecil Beaton show the young Prince in what looks like the identical piece. (I am not licensed to post the photographs, but you can see one image here and another here.)
Stephen Lock / i-Images / Polaris
We saw a new pair of t-strap walkers, very similar to the young royal’s Start-Rite ‘Jo’ shoes. A lovely What Kate’s Kids a Wore Facebook Friend named Rachael suggests Prince George could be wearing the boys pale blue patent t-strap walker by Leon Shoes. We show the shoes at Scotland’s Cherry Blossom Boutique. While very similar, I don’t think George is wearing patent, but regular leather.
We looked at a few other Leon Shoes styles at a Cherry Blossom Boutique and stumbled on the plain leather t-strap walker in pale blue.
Polaris Images/Cherry Blossom Boutique
A final look at Prince George as he leaves the Buckingham Palace balcony in his father’s arms.
Stephen Lock / i-Images / Polaris
I’m among those initially uncomfortable with the appearance of a dated and frilly baby suit but the heritage argument has gained traction since then now that pics of Charles also wearing it emerge. It certainly looks dated, but royalty likes its tradition.
I simply love the cardigan though, almost wish I had one like it — those boats are just so on the mark! Love the shoes too, and I prefer them in leather, the patent tends a bit towards cissy all over again, along with 60-year-old frills and lace. Thanks for lovely post.
Found this wonderful portrait of Prince Charles by Cecil Beaton from 1950. You can see the outfit clearly and it looks like a match to me. Because of how William is holding George you can’t really see the front and in pictures from 1984 the colours are wrong, so it looks completely blue.
http://www.vandaimages.com/results.asp?inline=true&image=1000CB0011-01&wwwflag=1&imagepos=75
My goodness, it certainly does! I’m just back from out-of-town, but twill try and do some hunting for a color picture of that day. Thank you for sharing the insight and information, we appreciate it! 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment, I think you are spot-on. There are multiple images showing Prince Charles in the outfit in 1950, I’m working on an update to the post for tomorrow. Thank you again! 🙂
Obviously, William, who is the most masculine of men, had no problem looking back at these photos and requesting that George be dressed as he was. For a not quite two year old, baby blue and a little fluffy trim is perfectly okay. He’s not at nursery school yet.
Princess Diana must have saved everything related to her boys. I find it poignant and also reflective of William’s determination to link his childhood with that of George. I’d love to see what else pops out of storage.
I think tradition is getting a bit out of hand. George is adorable but I think he looks a little ridiculous in powder blue and frills. I do understand the tradition, but are they going to have him copying his father for too many more years?! The outfit William wore on his first balcony appearance was in the middle of the 80s so can be forgiven, but come on Kate and William it’s the 21st century. George will look back on these photos in 2035 and wonder what on earth his parents were thinking! I wonder if George is ever allowed to kick back in sneakers and trackie pants. The poor kid must be so uncomfortable most of the time. Yes I realise he’s a future King but for the moment he is just a child.