LONDON - Thousands of people have gathered in central London for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, celebrating King Charles III's official birthday. This parade is one of the most significant royal and military spectacles of the year, culminating with a Red Arrows flypast observed by the royal family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Royal Family on the Balcony
Alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla were the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children. Prince Louis, known for being a scene-stealer in past events, was on his best behavior, chatting with his parents as aircraft flew overhead. The balcony moment served as a reminder of royal continuity, with King Charles standing alongside two future monarchs: Prince William and Prince George.
Procession and Parade Details
In bright sunshine, the King and Queen traveled in an open-top carriage, driving past thousands of people lining the route from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. The title "Trooping the Colour" derives from the "Colours," the flags representing different regiments in the British Army. The event features over 1,400 armed forces members, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. Each year, a different regiment's colours are trooped; this year, it was the Grenadier Guards.
In the first carriage were the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of the Princess Royal. The second carriage carried the Duke of Gloucester and his wife, the Duchess of Gloucester. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Edinburgh—all royal colonels—rode on horseback in the military parade. Catherine, Princess of Wales, followed in a carriage with her three children.
Uniforms and Medals
The King wore the Grenadier Guards uniform, featuring the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, and ten medals, including Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Medal (1953) and the Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022). Queen Camilla, as Colonel of the Grenadiers, wore a red Grenadier Guards uniform dress designed by Fiona Clarke, with a black beret, white plume, and a cap badge by Phillip Treacy. Second Lieutenant Alec Goschen, standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, was the Ensign carrying the flag, reaching 8 feet 6 inches in his bearskin.
Ceremonial Highlights
After the parade, the King received a royal salute and a 41-gun salute fired by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. He then inspected the troops, after which the colour was "trooped" through the ranks of foot guards. The King led his guards back to Buckingham Palace, where another salute took place.
Tribute to Fallen Soldier
There was a somber note for the armed forces: Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, who was to ride in this year's Trooping the Colour, died after falling from her horse during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May. Soldiers of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery have paid tribute to her in recent weeks during events and preparations for Saturday.
