Prince William On Horseback For 'Trooping The Colour' Ceremony Rehearsal (PHOTOS)

LONDON (AP) — Sharp-eyed tourists outside Buckingham Palace had a rare opportunity Saturday to see Prince William on horseback.

But even those in the vicinity might well have missed him, since his well-known face was obscured by a traditional tall bearskin hat.

The prince was taking part in a rehearsal for next week's "Trooping the Colour," a major event to mark Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday.

The queen turned 85 in April, but the public party for the monarch's birthday is held on a Saturday in June when the weather is better. The custom dates from 1748 and will be June 11 this year.

William, riding a mottled gray horse called Wellesley, was wearing the red Irish Guards tunic with a blue sash that he wore at his April 29 wedding to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

William, 28, was made Colonel of the Irish Guards in February. He is expected to wear the same outfit at the actual "Trooping the Colour" ceremony, which usually draws thousands of well-wishers to the ceremonial heart of London.

The event Saturday, officially known as the Colonel's Review, is the second of two rehearsals for the queen's birthday festivities.

William and his new wife, formally known as the Duchess of Cambridge, plan to visit Canada and California in late June and early July.

They will visit several cities in Canada from June 30 to July 8, traveling throughout much of Canada on their first official overseas trip as a married couple.

They also plan a stop in Los Angeles and the surrounding area from July 8-10.

Via Getty Images, here are some photos capturing the scene:

Comments

[ghdrtey]

09:53 PM on 06/06/2011

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[Veritas 1]

07:45 PM on 06/05/2011

All the stupid tourists are pointing their cameras in the wrong direction. I suppose nobody thought anything of the wings on his blue sash.

[TXRed]

12:28 PM on 06/05/2011

He wasn't recognized because that big furry hat is his new toupe - his rapidly receding hairline is completely obscured. GREAT IDEA!

[viko]

07:36 AM on 06/05/2011

I hope King Billy can live up to the history of Gallantry and Courage of the Irish Queens Guards. the shamrock on the tunic is the give away.
My Granda Pa was an Irish Guard died in the Great War and is buried in Flanders France. Only last week Queen Elisabeth 11 gave atonement after one hundred years to The real Irish Guards who fell in a foreign land as their comrades fought the British in the 1916 rising simultanously at Home. . Until last week 250,000 of these brave men who fought in trenches in September 1916. 4 million men from all over the World died in Flanders france in thirty days.. 4.6 million US came to fight not long after their own Civil War and only half came home.
The Irish Guards are a great and Historic Regiment They were the first into Germany after the French mutinied and won the War.
The New King Billy will have a lot to live up to.
The Irish still did not get the result Home Rule.Their motivation was misunderstood it was to encourage the British to grant home rule for a higher cause. Their was no traitors. Only a sacrice to save us all.

[nana4g]

09:19 AM on 06/05/2011

One would hope that neither Prince William, or anyone else, will have to fight and die again and that Ireland has a better present and future than her past, as with all great countries who had to send their youth to fight and die. I think the existence of the Irish Guards, and his wearing of the uniform as "his" uniform speaks a great deal for the honor and the memory of that history, not as "traitors", but as heros. As for William as a future King, I believe he will chart his own course, not taking responsibility for all that went before, and choosing to live up to his own expectations, which, I believe, are quite high. I do not believe his wearing of the Irish Guard uniform portends equality with those who went before, but, it is a symbol of honor of them and, so, he does not need admonishment or reminders.

[viko]

10:37 AM on 06/05/2011

Thanks.

[miggiepdx]

09:57 AM on 06/06/2011

Beautifully written, thoughtful and fresh. Fanned and faved, Nana4g. Looking forward to reading your posts regularly. Thank you for setting a civil tone. Good leadership.

[deluk]

01:46 PM on 06/05/2011

The Irish who wanted it got home rule, Ireland was only ever united under the British anyway (an Irishman, a real one not an American one pointed that out to me)

[viko]

02:19 PM on 06/05/2011

Why be so arrogant about your fourth of July.
The Irish were never united under The Crown,
We have our own heritage and we are not Part of the British Isles.
La go Braith.

[Elrancho2]

07:19 AM on 06/05/2011

Poor guy. It must be so hot, not to mention embarrassing to have to wear that clobber and then be photographed. But it's tradition and 'tradition' is one thing the British do very well.

[hottingers]

05:22 AM on 06/05/2011

"Prince Charles Rides Horseback" is the title of Charles and Camilla's s*x tape.

[CaptMike65]

04:21 AM on 06/05/2011

Its hard to tell which one is the horse. I wonder if they are related.

[colettehope]

03:28 AM on 06/05/2011

A prince riding a white horse...well almost white. Is this a fairy tale?

[peacekitten]

01:51 AM on 06/05/2011

this ceremony is quite the show i was lucky enough to see it when i was a child

[Southrnbelle]

01:39 AM on 06/05/2011

How much you think that hat weighs??

[Tweetybird82]

02:57 PM on 06/06/2011

Probably enough to require a chiropractor visit after a guard shift.

[Drjimmy72296]

12:12 AM on 06/05/2011

Irrelevant since 1918.

[saskatoonie]

02:08 AM on 06/05/2011

Maybe to you........

[Tony Sanchez]

12:06 AM on 06/05/2011

Good to know they don't have to ride stick horses No horse herpes?

[Devontate]

11:27 PM on 06/04/2011

I LOVE that they included the name of the horse in the article!

That's one healthy looking horse with all those dapples.

[miggiepdx]

10:00 AM on 06/06/2011

Greys are always faster.

[StefanyAraneta]

10:45 PM on 06/04/2011

all the turf of hair is quite uncomfortable. I've always admire prince will's discipline. I know he might not like it too but he keeps up with what he has to do. It's not like he has a choice, anyway. Be happy prince will, enjoy your every experience as a royalty. It's a blessing and might as well be a curse. haha. my love to you, darling.

[Pinky Lee]

09:57 PM on 06/04/2011

Needs a haircut.