Image copyright EPA/SGT RUPERT FRERE Image caption Prince William inspected the troops ahead of the Queen's Birthday Parade on 17 June

The Duke of Cambridge has taken part in the military rehearsal for the Queen's Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, for the first time.

Tourists may have caught a glimpse of the future monarch in uniform riding his horse Wellesley in The Mall.

As Colonel of the Irish Guards, Prince William inspected the troops ahead of the parade on 17 June.

More than 6,000 spectators watched the inspection in Horse Guards Parade.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Prince William is Colonel of the Irish Guards

Image copyright Reuters Image caption More than 6,000 spectators watched the event in Horse Guards Parade

There were more than 200 military horses on parade and 400 musicians.

Trooping the Colour has commemorated the birthday of the sovereign for more than 250 years.

It also functions as a display of army drills, music and horsemanship.

The Duke of Cambridge became the Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2011.

The last time the battalion trooped the colour in front of the Queen was in 2009.