Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, cut a lonely figure as he joined senior members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour today.

The 90-year-old, who joined the King's official birthday celebrations for the first time since the death of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed last year, stood on the far right of the balcony on his own amid the monarchy's new slimmed-down approach.

In one sweet moment, the Duke, who made an appearance on the balcony for the Red Arrows flypast after missing the royal carriage procession, was seen taking photographs of the festivities on his phone.

Trooping the Colour was once an affair that saw the palace balcony brimming with at least 44 royals as more distant relatives were invited.

But over the last few years, only working royals - and the Waleses' children - have attended the event in line with the King's slimmed-down approach.

In 2019, the balcony was so full that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were barely visible behind the late Queen and the Princess Royal.

In total, there were around 42 royals who gathered around Her late Majesty on the balcony six years ago. Similarly, in 2017, around 47 royals piled onto the balcony for a glimpse of the annual flypast and to see well-wishers.

Changes to Trooping the Colour were noticeable in 2022, when 18 royals were pictured watching the flypast - less than half of the amount in previous years

The Duke, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and now the oldest working royal, turned 90 on October 9, just over a month after he lost his beloved wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent. The couple were married for 64 years.

He and the late queen were said to have enjoyed a close relationship, which Charles, 77, has sought to continue.

Earlier today, senior members of the Royal Family attended the monarch's official birthday at Horse Guards Parade in London as throngs of fans flocked to The Mall to witness the stunning display of military pomp and pageantry.

Kate, 44, putting on a typically elegant display in a Catherine Walker light blue and white coat dress and a matching Philip Treacy hat, was sat next to her youngest Louis, eight, when travelling in the royal carriage procession.

Charlotte, 11, and George, 12, looking smart in a suit and a tie that matched his mother's ensemble, were placed opposite the pair in the open-top coach.

The King, meanwhile, wore his military uniform, while Queen Camilla sported a red silk crepe Grenadier Guards uniform dress, designed by Fiona Clare, as the two travelled from Buckingham Palace to the parade grounds.

It was a family affair for the Firm as the Prince of Wales rode on horseback while wearing the Full Ceremonial Order of the Welsh Guards. He was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal as they flashed a salute on their way to Buckingham Palace. 

In October last year, King Charles held a private party at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Duke of Kent's 90th birthday.

The Duke of Kent's siblings, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, were in attendance, along with Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. 

Despite not attending the party, the Waleses do, however, share a close relationship with the Duke of Kent and were among those supporting him at his late wife's funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16.

Understandably emotional as he laid his wife of 64 years to rest, the Duke fought back tears while accompanied by other members of the Royal Family.

Having arrived at the cathedral with a walking stick, the grieving widower held onto his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor.

Edward was joined by the couple's three children - George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Taylor - as well as their 10 grandchildren.

The Duchess died 'peacefully' at Kensington Palace on September 4, surrounded by her loved ones after a period of ill health.

Prince Edward and the Duchess first crossed paths in 1956 when he was stationed at Catterick Garrisons near her family home.

Five years later in March 1961, the couple announced their engagement and tied the knot in June.

At their wedding, Katharine wore the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara and a dress designed by John Cavanagh.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Kent could have married at Westminster Abbey, Katharine was adamant that she wanted to have the ceremony in her home county - and reportedly referred to herself as a 'Yorkshire lass'.

The bride and groom settled on York Minister, which, at that time, had not hosted a royal wedding for more than 600 years.

Katharine was the first woman without a title to marry into the Royal Family for more than a century.