Prince George’s “intense” reaction during Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday parade has gone newly viral on TikTok as fans looked back on his younger years.

The future king was approaching three years old and clearly a little overwhelmed as he gazed out onto a sea of people during Trooping the Colour.

At the time, the royal family was gathered for Queen Elizabeth II‘s annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, in June 2016.

A TikTok video of the moment went viral and has been liked 17,000 times and viewed 138,000 times, having been posted with the message: “George’s face at the end is like: “WOW THAT WAS INTENSE”😂.”

Why It Matters

Prince George is a little older now at 11 and cuts a more demure figure during royal events but the affection shown for throwback footage of his younger days shows how fans crave the authenticity of royal kids.

Prince Louis has often been a favorite on the palace balcony in recent years with his unfiltered dancing, clapping screaming and general enthusiasm.

What To Know

At the time George was a month off his third birthday, as he stood alongside his father Prince William and mother Princess Kate on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The youngster appeared to spot something in the distance which he pointed at before almost falling over.

The touching moment captures not only during a far earlier stage of childhood for the prince but also a calmer era in royal relations.

It was around the time Prince Harry met Meghan Markle and a few months before the couple’s relationship became public, which also makes it around two years before the deep rift in relations between Harry and William became entrenched.

What People Are Saying

Fans who responded to the video also appeared enamored with a young Princess Charlotte with one posting: “Charlotte like ‘damn I nearly became the heir there’ (joke).”

“Look at Charlotte omgg,” another wrote, while a third said: “Charlotte and George are both so cute and chubby.”

What Happens Next

George, Charlotte and their younger brother Prince Louis will likely all be back on the Buckingham Palace balcony again for Trooping the Colour on June 14, 2025, though now it is King Charles III who will be honored.

Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.

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