Breaking Tradition: King Charles III's Unique Twist on Trooping the Colour
Experience the grandeur of King Charles III's first Trooping the Colour, as he sets the stage for a more spectacular parade than ever before
According to royal expert Gareth Russell, King Charles III's upcoming Trooping the Colour is expected to be more spectacular and have a higher production value compared to past events. With all seven regiments in attendance, this year's ceremony is set to be a punchier and grander affair.
Trooping the Colour, which occurs annually on the second Saturday in June, is a commemoration of the sovereign's official birthday. This time-honored ceremony has its roots in the reign of King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685. (It's worth noting that the current Charles, aged 74, does not celebrate his actual birthday until November 14.)
During his inaugural Trooping the Colour as king, Charles intends to resurrect a long-standing tradition that has remained dormant for almost three decades: he will be participating in the parade on horseback. This will be the first instance of a royal riding during the procession since 1986, when his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, mounted one of her cherished horses for the event. In her later years, the monarch, who passed away in September 2022, would observe the parade from a carriage while taking the salute.
Russell, author of Do Let’s Have Another Drink!: The Dry Wit and Fizzy Life of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, explained that despite the scale of the event, the involvement of more soldiers is notable since it is the first Trooping of the Colour under Charles III’s reign. Charles wanted to take the salute from horseback to match the tone of the inaugural ceremony.
Following his father's footsteps, Prince William may have a distinct role in the ceremony as he has inherited his father's previous title. With his grandmother's passing, the Duke of Cambridge, who is currently 40 years old, has become the Prince of Wales while his wife, Princess Kate, has taken the title of Princess of Wales.
Russell explained that there is a strong push to position him as the successor. He will soon be taking over the role that his father held during the reign of Elizabeth II. Recently, William attended a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, where two guards fainted due to the heat. Following the incident, the Duke of Cornwall expressed his appreciation for their service publicly.
William expressed his gratitude to all the soldiers who participated in the Colonel's Review on a hot morning via Twitter, praising them for their outstanding performance despite challenging conditions. Trooping the Colour is typically held in June due to the pleasant weather in England during this time of the year, which is why it is not held on the monarch's actual birthday.
"Russell humorously attributed the selection of this particular weekend to a combination of medieval political theory and the practical British aversion to a dreary, rainy weekend. Once Britain finds a tradition that proves successful, they tend to hold onto it tightly."
