Prince Louis hilariously steals the show with exuberant performance at Trooping the Colour debut

While there could only be one true star of the show at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, all eyes were on the Cambridge children as they made their debut at Trooping the Colour - in particular, Prince Louis.

Her Majesty indulged the little scene-stealer by her side, as the four-year-old royal stepped into the limelight as her most entertaining balcony companion of all.

The youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge secured himself a prime position on the Buckingham Palace balcony next to the Queen, known to him and his siblings as "Gan Gan".

There, as the Armed Forces put on a spectacular flypast to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, he cemented his role as the lively younger brother charming family and nation alike.

Jumping up and down with excitement and covering his ears to protect against the noise, he was so pleased with his own waving that, according to a lip reader, he told the royals: "Look at me waving!"

The arrangements for Trooping the Colour, the spectacular opening event of the jubilee weekend, placed the Cambridge children at the centre of the Royal family.

To the delight of royal-watchers, they were also photographed in high spirits, playing games with their young royal cousins while tucked nearly out of sight at Horse Guards Parade.

Their moment in the spotlight began at Buckingham Palace, where they climbed into an open carriage with their mother the Duchess of Cambridge and step-grandmother the Duchess of Cornwall.

Waving goodbye to their father Prince William, who was on horseback, they set off waving cheerfully at thousands of wellwishers lining the streets to see them.

It was the first time any of the children had been in a carriage for Trooping.

After the military parade had ended, the Cambridges returned to Buckingham Palace by carriage and walked onto the balcony with the working Royal family for the grand finale.

At the all-important moment of the National Anthem, Prince George and Princess Charlotte stood in perfect politeness, arms by their sides, with Prince Louis joining them faultlessly to begin with before looking around in astonishment.

As they left the balcony to retire inside the palace for lunch, the children all gave a final small wave to crowds who cheered from outside the gates.

The Platinum Jubilee will see four days of celebrations take place across the country. The festivities also include a service at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday and a concert outside Buckingham Palace on Saturday.