Today saw the third Trooping the Colour of King Charles’ reign, marking his official birthday with military precision and poignant symbolism, as the Royal Family paid tribute to the victims of the recent Air India disaster.
The annual celebration, steeped in tradition dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, took place on Horseguards Parade in central London, drawing large crowds despite overcast skies and the sombre tone of the event.
This year’s parade saw several notable changes, reflecting both The King’s age and health, and wider national events.
In a break from custom, Charles did not ride horseback but instead travelled in a carriage with Queen Camilla, due to his ongoing cancer treatment. The Monarch nonetheless took the salute from the dais back at the Palace, continuing his role in the historic ceremony.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Approximately 1,350 soldiers from the Household Division took part, alongside 400 musicians and 200 horses, in one of the most meticulously choreographed displays in the royal calendar. The Colour – or flag – was trooped by No. 7 Company of the Coldstream Guards, who are celebrating their 375th anniversary this year.
In a gesture requested by The King, those on parade who are uniformed members of the Royal Household and mounted officers of the Division wore black armbands in honour of the 241 people who died in the Air India plane crash earlier this week; this included more than 50 Brits.
Before the ceremony began, after the initial inspection, a minute’s silence was observed across Horseguards. The tribute was marked by the solemn notes of the Last Post and Reveille, with The King, Queen, and extended members of the Royal Family bowing their heads. This was similar to the late Queen’s decision to alter proceedings following the Grenfell fire tragedy of 2017.
The Princess of Wales made her highly anticipated appearance, as she slowly returns to to public life. Catherine was riding in a carriage with her three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – after stepping back from duties last year for cancer treatment.
Catherine watched the parade alongside The King in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, wearing her ceremonial brooch. She wore a teal coat with white collar and cuffs from Catherine Walker and a Juliette Botteril hat, while Princess Charlotte was spotted wearing a horseshoe brooch once owned by Elizabeth II, a piece the young Royal wore to the funeral of her great-grandmother.
Senior working Royals were present on horseback, including The Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh, each wearing ceremonial uniform of ther respective regiments: the Welsh Guards, Blues and Royals and Scots Guards. The horses they rode were gifts from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, maintaining a close Commonwealth connection and an element of tradition dating back to the late Queen’s reign.
The Duchess of Edinburgh was in a green dress from Emilia Wickstead, and a pillbox hat from Jane Taylor, while Edward was in his Scots Gaurds uniform, with sash from the Order of the Thistle. The Duchess of Gloucester was elegant in black and white with a small heart brooch, with the Duke in a morning suit and tophat.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined their parents on the Buckingham Palace balcony, where they were met with applause from crowds gathered on the Mall. Prince Louis was again taking the spotlight with his animated reactions and waving standing with his family.
The Duke of Kent made an appearance here, looking frail at the age of 89; he stood with Princess Anne and Sir Tim, also in morning dress.
The RAF flypast concluded the day, with 34 aircraft taking to the skies, including the Red Arrows. This year’s display used sustainable ‘green’ aviation fuel and smoke trails produced with biofuels, aligning with the King’s long-held convictions about protecting the environment.
