The King’s birthday parade – often called Trooping the Color – is a ceremonial occasion in London, which sees the royals collect for a spectacular army parade.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 75, will take part within the procession, however amid his ongoing most cancers therapy, he’ll trip in a carriage fairly than on horseback.
Since 1748, the parade has marked the sovereign’s official birthday, regardless of Charles’ precise birthday falling on 14 November.
In 2023, the King took half in his birthday parade of his reign, changing into the primary monarch to trip on horseback since Queen Elizabeth II final did in 1986.
This is every little thing it’s essential to find out about Trooping the Color 2024, which royals are concerned and how one can watch.
When is Trooping the Color and what time does it begin?
This 12 months’s parade takes place on Saturday 15 June, ranging from 10am till 12.25, with the flypast scheduled for 1pm.
What occurs at Trooping the Color?
It would see over 1,400 parading troopers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come collectively in an amazing show of army precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign’s official birthday.
The ceremony dates again to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colors (flags) of the battalion have been carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks in order that they may very well be seen and recognised by the troopers.
The procession begins at Buckingham Palace and travels down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. King Charles will examine the troopers and provides a salute from his carriage, earlier than main the troops in a parade again to Buckingham Palace.
The occasion ends with the royal household watching the Royal Air Power flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The place to observe
Whereas tickets for the seated stands to observe the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade have already been allotted, you may catch a glimpse of the procession with the crowds on the sting of St James’s Park or alongside The Mall.
Alternatively, you may watch the parade reside on tv throughout the BBC.
Which royals will attend?
Whereas the King and Queen will likely be in attendance, the palace is but to substantiate which members of the royal household will participate this 12 months.
It isn’t identified whether or not the Princess of Wales, who’s at the moment present process most cancers therapy, will likely be in attendance and whether or not Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will take part at this stage.
For the reason that begin of Charles’ reign, solely senior working royals have participated in Trooping the Color and appeared on the balcony. Throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, she would typically invite prolonged members of her household.
Final 12 months, the King was joined on horseback by the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla have been joined of their carriage by Prince William and Kate’s three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, additionally took half within the procession, driving in a separate carriage.
Gown code
Sometimes, male members of the royal household are wearing army uniform, whereas women put on day costume and a hat.
In the meantime, should you’ve been fortunate to bag a ticket for the ceremony, the Family Division web site states the costume code as: “Morning costume or lounge go well with for gents, equal for women (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals). Serving Army personnel could put on Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, with out swords or sidearms) or equal.”
Trooping the Color rehearsal
The Colonel’s Overview at Horse Guards Parade occurred on 8 June, the week earlier than Trooping the Color.
The Princess of Wales missed the ceremony amid her ongoing most cancers therapy however wrote a heartfelt apology letter to the Irish Guards.
Kate, 42, who’s colonel of the regiment, spoke of her satisfaction in them and added that being colonel “stays an honour”.
The letter mentioned: “I wished to put in writing to you to let you know the way proud I’m of your complete regiment forward of the Colonel’s Overview and Trooping the Color.
“I recognize everybody trooping the color this 12 months has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to making sure their uniforms and drill are immaculate.
“Being your colonel stays an honour, and I’m very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this 12 months’s Colonel’s Overview.”
Lieutenant Normal James Bucknall, KCB, CBE, carried out the position of Inspecting Officer on behalf of the Princess.