The Duchess of Edinburgh looked the picture of elegance as she made an appearance at the annual Trooping the Colour parade in London today. Wearing a beautiful, collared white dress and matching hat, the Duchess smiled and waved to the crowds as she made her way to the parade ground.

Sophie rode to the parade ground in the same horse-drawn Barouche carriage as Princess Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. The pair were the first in the line of four carriages, closely followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Also known as the King's Birthday Parade, the celebration sees members of the Royal Family gather together in London to mark the monarch's official birthday. While the King's real birthday is on November 14, the day has been celebrated in June ever since King Edward VII's reign, when it was hoped that the parade could take place in better weather.

The Duchess was not joined by either of her two children, Lady Louise Windsor or James, Earl of Wessex, who have both not attended the celebrations for a number of years.

Prince Edward was not present in the carriage procession as he was riding in the parade as the Colonel of the Scots Guards. Dressed in a red tunic and bearskin cap, the Duke rode with his nephew, Prince William, and sister, Princess Anne, who are the Colonels of the Welsh Guards and the Blues and Royals, respectively.

The Duchess will watch the parade from the office of the Duke of Wellington on Horse Guards Parade.

Trooping the Colour - otherwise known as the King's Birthday Parade - has been taking place for over 260 years and sees over 1,500 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians march in front of the King on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. While it was first performed during the reign of King Charles II, it became an annual event in 1760, after the accession of King George III.

This year will see the Grenadier Guards troop their Colour in front of the King. Their Colonel, Queen Camilla, will also be present to take the salute from a dais on Horse Guards Parade.

Beginning and ending at Buckingham Palace, the celebration also sees members of the Royal Family appear on the balcony to watch an RAF flypast, which culminates in the Red Arrows decorating the skies with red, white and blue.