Meghan Markle Steps Out in First Royal Appearance Since Archie’s Birth

It was a big weekend for the royal family as they showed up for the annual Trooping the Colour festivities. While Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday falls on April 21, the day’s parade is the public celebration of the occasion.

Meghan Markle has been on maternity leave since welcoming her first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6. This was her first public outing since giving birth, although she and husband Harry did make a press appearance on May 8 introducing the newborn.

Meghan and Harry, along with Camilla Parker Bowles and Kate Middleton all rode in a horse-drawn carriage on Saturday and waved at the crowd. Meghan wore leather gloves, a hat, and a navy ensemble which was reportedly Givenchy, a favorite designer of the Duchess of Sussex.

The royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, posed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the parade. Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, turns 98 on June 10!

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Today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined The Queen and members of The Royal Family at the annual Trooping the Colour, to celebrate Her Majesty’s official birthday. Trooping the Colour orginated from traditional preparations for battle and has commemorated the birthday of the sovereign for more than 250 years. In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces regularly assembled to “troop" colours or flags down the rank, so they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. In 1748, it was announced this parade would also mark the Sovereign’s official birthday. Trooping the Colour is performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies for The Queen’s birthday parade, allowing them to pay a personal tribute to Her Majesty. Today over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians came together on Horse Guards Parade in London in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare. The parade concludes with a 41-gun salute fired by The King’s Troop, following which The Queen leads members of The Royal Family back to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force flypast display. Photos credit: PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jun 8, 2019 at 8:44am PDT

Meghan has taken part in Trooping the Colour festivities before, as she attended for the first time last year. Perhaps next year little Archie will be old enough to join mom and dad for the special celebration!