King Charles has first Trooping the Colour parade as monarch

King Charles III saddled up Saturday for his first official birthday parade since taking the throne, riding on horseback in the Trooping the Colour in London.

It was the first time since 1986 that a reigning monarch took part on horseback when Queen Elizabeth II last rode her beloved Burmese in the event.

The parade took place just weeks after Charles’ coronation, another ceremony featuring soldiers in scarlet coats and bearskin hats marching to military bands.

Charles also donned military garb, saluting the troops as he rode by.

The 74-year-old king’s birthday is actually Nov. 14, but the annual event is held in June thanks to British tradition.

The heir to the throne, Prince William, along with Charles’ sister, Princess Anne and his brother, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, rode behind the king in the parade, which has been held since 1760.

Queen Camilla and Kate, the Princess of Wales, rode in a horse-drawn carriage before the roughly 8,000 spectators.

Out to support their grandfather, who took the throne last year, were also Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and five-year-old Prince Louis, the Daily Mail reported.

More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and hundreds of army musicians.

Following the parade, Charles returned to Buckingham Palace with his family, where he was joined by members of the family on the balcony to watch a fly-by of about 70 military aircraft and helicopters from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force.