What Is Trooping the Color? All You Need to Know About King Charles' Birthday Celebration

The royal family watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping the Color. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby)

Jun. 13 02025, Updated 11:46 AM. ET

Trooping the Color, a centuries-old tradition, is the annual birthday parade for the reigning monarch. Held in London, it is a ceremonial presentation of the regimental flags. This year's event will be King Charles's third, since his accession to the throne after Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022. It is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, with over 1,600 soldiers, 400 musicians, and 200 horses participating in the royal procession.

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, the ceremony dates back to the battlefield when the flags, which were called ‘colors,’ signalled a rallying point for soldiers. As per People magazine, the museum explained, “To ensure that every soldier would be able to recognize their colors, the flag would be marched or 'trooped' regularly 'round the ranks.' ...A regiment’s colours came to have huge significance for serving soldiers, and the gain or loss of colors was seen as decisive moments in battle.” The tradition of celebrating the sovereign’s birthday with a military presentation is reported to have begun during the reign of King Charles II in the 17th century, while the Trooping the Color started during the reign of King George II. However, it did not take place on the King’s actual birth date.

The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry ride down The Mall. Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby — The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry rides down The Mall. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby)

The parade, which has been the most-awaited event on the royal calendar since 1760, is held during the Summer instead to have it be on a day when the weather conditions are favorable. The museum stated, “With a November birthday being too cold for a celebratory parade, he tied his celebrations in with the annual Trooping the Color military parade.” While the late Queen’s birthday was in April, she opted to have the public celebration in the month of June. Charles is also seemingly following in the footsteps of his late mother. The monarch has been attending the ceremony since childhood. He first witnessed the celebration for his grandfather, King George VI.

Last year, Charles stood with his family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet the huge crowd. His appearance on the balcony was welcomed and quelled public concern as it came just a few months after the Palace announced his cancer diagnosis. While Queen Camilla joined him on his left, his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, who was also seeking treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, was standing on his right. Other members in attendance were Prince William, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and more.

Royal family watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby — The royal family watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby)

The list of royal family members for the upcoming Trooping the Color has been a point of discussion among commentators and netizens. According to Marca, the balcony lineup for the upcoming event will be slim. Besides the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales will be attending the ceremony with their three children. Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, Edward, Duchess Sophie, Prince Richard, and his wife, Birgitte, are also confirmed. Amid the ongoing rift, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be attending the ceremony along with Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall. This year, much like 2024, the King will ride in a chariot instead of horseback, given his ill health.