By now you’ve seen theGIF that went viralfromTrooping the Colourat Buckingham Palace on Saturday.Prince George’s cousin, Savannah Phillips, mischievously put her hand over the future king’s mouth during the ceremony — and had a devious smirk while doing so! But this playful behavior between cousins has been going on since their dads,Prince Williamand Peter Phillips, began their balcony appearances 33 years ago.
Joe Little, managing editor ofMajestymagazine, tells PEOPLE that Peter and William were close as teenagers and that bond continues with their children.
“They looked like they were having fun, particularly the kids,” Little says about the event, which honorsQueen Elizabeth’s birthday. “There is a closeness with the Phillips’ kids, which is great to see. William and Peter Phillips were close when William was a teenager and that has continued into the next generation.”
Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty; James Devaney/FilmMagic
And this year, the event had so many family members in attendance (including thenewest royal family addition, Meghan Markle!), that it was a packed balcony. “With all the children there were almost too many people on there,” Little says.
Trooping the Colour 2018.James Whatling/MEGA
Phillips is the eldest child of Princess Anne (Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter) and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. He and his wife, Autumn Phillips, have two daughters, Savannah, the Queen’s first great-grandchild, who was born in 2010 and Isla, who was born in 2012.
Kent Gavin/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty
Peter has attended countless Troopings together throughout the years, pictured above in 1986 alongsidePrince WilliamandPrince Harryand his sister Zara.
And the cousins have celebrated their grandmother’s birthday together for years. They were photographed, above, at the Patron’s Lunch celebrations to markQueen ElizabethII’s 90th birthday in 2016.
In additon to the Queen,who has never missed a Trooping, Peter’s mom, Princess Anne, was on-hand along withPrince WilliamandKate Middleton, and their children,Prince GeorgeandPrincess Charlotte(Prince Louisstayed home during the festivities!).Prince Philip,Prince Charles,Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall,Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
They all gathered on the balcony to watch the Royal Air Force flypast.
source: people.com
