Prince George struggles to contain sneeze during national anthem at Trooping the Colour

Prince George struggled to contain a sneeze during the national anthem while on the Buckingham Palace balcony this afternoon, leaving his mother in stitches.

The 12-year-old future monarch tried to wait patiently until the anthem's final notes had concluded before releasing a small sneeze on the iconic balcony.

Covering his nose and mouth politely with his hands, the young prince then shared an endearing moment with his mother, the Princess of Wales.

The Princess of Wales was quick to offer a "bless you" to her eldest son, placing a reassuring hand on his back.

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"I'm alright," George replied, nodding to reassure his mother during this very public moment.

The pair then shared a laugh together, capturing a tender family exchange witnessed by millions around the globe.

Catherine could sympathise with her eldest son. She could be seen sneezing earlier in the procession.

It is understood that she has a horse allergy, which is most inconvenient on a ceremony such as Trooping the Colour, but the princess managed admirably.

The three Wales children conducted themselves with exemplary conduct and etiquette throughout the day's ceremony, sitting upright and quietly in their carriage as they waved to thousands of cheering spectators lining The Mall.

Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and even Prince Louis, eight, maintained their composure admirably in front of the world's cameras and thousands of eyes.

Even the youngest member of the family largely avoided his now-infamous funny faces, though he was briefly spotted picking his nose in a fleeting moment of forgetfulness.

At one point during the balcony appearance, Louis veered away from his family to get a better view of the approaching aircraft, leaning to the side with his mouth agape in youthful wonder.

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The Princess of Wales looked radiant in a bespoke light blue 'Lafayette' coat dress from Catherine Walker, £7,245 cluster earrings, Philip Treacy hat and an Irish Guards brooch, as Catherine is Colonel of the Irish Guards.

George coordinated with his mother, sporting a baby blue tie that complemented her outfit perfectly.

King Charles marked his fourth official birthday as monarch with evident satisfaction, smiling broadly as he surveyed the celebrations from the balcony alongside Queen Camilla.

Both wore matching Grenadier Guards uniform red, appearing delighted that the day's events had proceeded without incident.

The balcony gathering included the Princess Royal, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The 90-year-old Duke of Kent was spotted filming the start of the RAF flypast on his mobile phone while holding his walking stick in the other hand.

Prince William, having ridden horseback to Horse Guards Parade in his bearskin hat and Welsh Guards ceremonial uniform, joined his family on the balcony and appeared to explain the Red Arrows display to his children.

The procession featured more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians.

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