WRAPPED in a fur coat and clutching a bouquet of flowers, this historic photograph captures the Queen's first ever official public appearance.

Dated from 1931 it is one of 90 images released to mark Her Majesty's 90th birthday this year.

The event was the marriage of Captain Henry Abel Smith to Lady May Cambridge, the then Queen's niece at St Mary's in Balcombe.

The sweet looking Princess Elizabeth had been chosen as one of the bridesmaids and was said to have performed the role with aplomb.

Newspaper stories from the time reported that the future Queen played with her curls and looked on with a sweet smile as the pair got married.

As well as the wedding being the Queen's first official engagement, it was also historic in that Lady May was the first British royal bride to omit the word "obey" from her vows.

As they lined up in the 16th century church, Princess Elizabeth is said to have stood on a pew chatting to the other three bridesmaids.

Her Queen Mother next to her, whispering last-minute instructions.

Then, as the organ pealed out in welcome, Lady May emerged through the west door on the arm of her father, the Earl of Athlone.

Behind her were the other bridesmaids in soft powder-blue, Princess Ingrid of Sweden with Princess Sybilla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

Little Princess Elizabeth then joined the procession alongside her cousin Lady Mary Cambridge.

It was said that as the bride whispered her responses her voice could scarcely be heard.

The Archbishop read a chapter of Corinthians before the choir sang. The bride and bridegroom, arm in arm, then walked to the vestry followed by the then Queen who signed the royal register and kissed the bride.

Young Elizabeth had stolen the show on her first official outing.

The reception was held at Brantridge Park, Lord Athlone's seat, near Balcombe and the wedding cake was decorated with soldiers of the Horse Guards and hunting scenes.

Thousands gathered outside Brantridge Park to catch a glimpse of the royal wedding and little Elizabeth took the time to go and great the crowds.

She smiled and waved at them and even offered a courtesy.

Little could they have known that the little five-year-old girl in front of them would go on to be one of the most important figures in British History.

The 90 images have been compiled by the Press Association to mark the Queen's 90th year. She will turn 90 on April 21.