The sun shone on the Orangemen — and some women — from over 100 lodges taking part in Belfast’s parade, while spectators revelled in the good weather and music from over 60 bands.

They made their way from the Orange Hall at Clifton Street in north Belfast to Barnetts Demesne and back, while shops were trading on the Twelfth for the first time in 40 years.

There was strong evidence through the crowds at Northern Ireland’s biggest Twelfth event of a tradition permeating generations of families.

Three generations of the Campbell family from east Belfast were taking part — Arthur, his son Ian and Ian’s twin sons Ross and Connor, aged 12, were all marching with the Cregagh Defenders.

Ross and Connor proudly carried the lodge’s banner while their mum Ingrid looked on with eight-year-old brother Stewart, who hopes to start marching himself next year.

Ingrid said: “My father-in-law’s father helped set up the lodge, which was originally for ex-servicemen.

“And although he’s 81, my father-in-law walks the whole 18-mile route.

“There is always a great atmosphere when they are coming back and Stewart will get to walk alongside his dad for a while.”

As well as a family day, it was also an occasion for young people.

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Many were disappointed to have to surrender their cache of beer at the gate into Barnetts Demesne, the location of the field where the parade plus followers rested before the journey home.

Quantity surveyor Allan Sayers was taking his niece Caitlin McCauley (10) from the Shankill Road to the field for the first time.

She was keen to display the band-pole skills which she’s been honing since the tender age of four.

Her uncle said: “This is the first time I’ve been in Northern Ireland for the Twelfth in 26 years as it was the only time I could take my holidays.

“My wife is in a band and we’re just here for the day out,” he said.

One-year-old Keelian Nelson from Newtownards was the youngest drummer of the day.

The infant was equipped with her own little Lambeg, which she eagerly bashed at the side of the parade, watched by her parents Vicki and Jim, sister Maya (6) and brother Darragh (9).

Spectators heard a speech |by Dawson Bailie, the Grand Orange Lodge county master of Belfast.

He told the crowds: “We are a global family of Protestants bound together in a brotherhood to promote the reformed faith and defend the civil and religious liberties won for all by the glorious revolution.”