Trooping the Colour, the annual birthday parade of the monarch, is an event that is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Royal Family. This year, on Saturday, the city of London will witness an extraordinary turnout of royals, including Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they actively participate in the grand celebrations.
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What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour has been a significant event for over 260 years, commemorating the official birthday of the King or Queen. It is a splendid ceremony that showcases elaborate battlefield drill manoeuvres accompanied by military music. With the participation of more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, it is a display of grandeur and tradition.
The procession begins at Buckingham Palace, proceeding down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the royals witness the captivating military display. Once the parade concludes, they return to Buckingham Palace, where the day’s festivities culminate with a balcony appearance by the royal family and a breathtaking flypast by the Royal Air Force (RAF), featuring the renowned Red Arrows.
When will Trooping the Colour take place?
Trooping the Colour is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, starting promptly at 10 am. It is customary for the event to be held in June to honor the monarch’s birthday, although King Charles was actually born on November 14.
The decision to celebrate his official birthday in June, months apart from his actual birthdate, is an homage to the British weather. In the past, King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910, also had a November birthday, which was deemed unfavorable for an extensive outdoor celebration. Thus, he moved the event to the summer. Following his reign, King George V, born in June, maintained the June celebration. However, when Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, whose birthday fell in December, ascended the throne, he reintroduced the tradition of an official birthday. Queen Elizabeth II continued this practice, despite her own April birthdate.
Roles of the Royals at Trooping the Colour
In this special Trooping the Colour event, King Charles will mark his first birthday parade as the reigning monarch by participating on horseback—a tradition not observed in over three decades. He will take the salute as the Colonel in Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division during the Birthday Parade at Horse Guards Parade.
Joining the King on horseback will be Prince William, Princess Anne, and, for the first time, Prince Edward. Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family, including Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, will also be present to witness the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Trooping their Colour at Horse Guards Parade.
Throughout the parade, the Foot Guards, Household Cavalry, King’s Troop, and Royal Horse Artillery will march past the King. Accompanied by other royals, they will travel to Horse Guards Parade in a series of carriages, with a 41-gun salute fired from Green Park.
After the parade, the King, accompanied by Camilla and other family members, will return to Buckingham Palace to witness the RAF fly-past, which serves as a magnificent conclusion to the day’s celebrations.
The Buckingham Palace Balcony Appearance
The lineup of royals appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF fly-past has not yet been confirmed by Buckingham Palace. In previous years, the late Queen invited all members of the extended family to join her on the balcony during Trooping the Colour. However, recent Trooping events have been limited to working royals only, a protocol also followed during King Charles’ Coronation last month.
Consequently, Prince Andrew, the King’s younger disgraced brother, and his estranged son, Prince Harry, were not included in the balcony appearance. Buckingham Palace officials have remained tight-lipped about whether Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have received an invitation to attend Trooping the Colour. Although the couple received an official invitation to the Coronation, Prince Harry attended the event alone and departed immediately after the ceremony to return to California for their son Archie’s fourth birthday.
RAF Flypast and the Red Arrows
The flypast by the RAF, including the spectacular Red Arrows display, is scheduled to take place at 1 pm. As members of the Royal Family watch from the Buckingham Palace balcony, the Red Arrows will captivate the audience with their awe-inspiring aerobatics. The exact route for the flypast has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to follow the plan implemented during the Coronation ceremony.
Attending Trooping the Colour
Tickets to view Trooping the Colour from the grandstands at Horse Guards Parade are allocated through a ballot system. Each person can apply for up to four tickets, with each ticket priced at £30. However, it is now too late to obtain tickets for this year’s event, as the successful applicants have already been notified.
For those without tickets, there are alternative ways to experience Trooping the Colour. Spectators can gather near Buckingham Palace and on The Mall to witness the royal procession and balcony appearance. It is recommended to arrive by 9 am, as the event commences at 10 am. Additionally, the live broadcast of Trooping the Colour will be available on BBC1, starting at 10:30 am. The coverage will be presented by Huw Edwards and the esteemed veteran, JJ Chalmers.
In conclusion, Trooping the Colour 2023 promises to be an exceptional celebration, marking King Charles’ first birthday parade as the reigning monarch. With its rich history, elaborate displays, and the presence of esteemed members of the Royal Family, this event is a testament to the enduring traditions and pageantry that have come to define British royalty.