King to mark official birthday with Trooping the Colour parade
Military pomp and pageantry will be on display in central London to mark the milestone but the event will also remember those killed in the Air India plane crash.
The King has requested a minute's silence be observed in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed, and others affected, when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.
Black armbands will also be worn by the head of state and senior royals riding in the ceremony, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, staged in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
The King, Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards, inspected the regiment during a ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on Friday (Henry Nicholls/PA)
On horseback and wearing the armbands will be the Royal Colonels – Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.
The Queen, the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh are expected to be among the royal party watching the event and royal fans will hope Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will join them as they did last year.
Members of the royal family not taking part in the parade and who normally watch events from the Duke of Wellington's former office will not wear black armbands.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King requested amendments to the Trooping the Colour programme 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy'.
In 2017, Trooping was held a few days after the Grenfell Tower blaze and the loss of life was marked by a minute's silence, a decision taken by Queen Elizabeth II.
The King issued a written message soon after the Air India plane crash saying he was 'desperately shocked by the terrible events' and expressing his 'deepest possible sympathy'.
He was kept updated about the developing situation on Thursday and it later emerged there was a sole survivor, UK national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Trooping the Colour will see more than 1,000 servicemen taking part in the military display who when not performing ceremonial duties are fighting soldiers.
The colour – regimental flag – being trooped this year is the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, a prestigious regiment known as the sovereign's bodyguard which is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year.
The day will end with the royal family gathering on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the traditional RAF flypast.
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Scotsman
25 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Trooping the Colour: Black armbands for India and a wave from Louis
Central London came to a standstill for the celebration of the King's Official Birthday. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The King has celebrated his official birthday with an eco-friendly flypast by the Red Arrows and a minute's silence for all those killed in the Air India plane disaster. Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include the remembrance, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged thecrowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous acrobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in theformer office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest.
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kate and Charlotte beam as the royals arrive for Trooping the Colour in glorious sunshine with Louis and George - and a barely recognisable Prince William!
Kate and Princess Charlotte shared a sweet moment as they beamed together at today's Trooping the Colour ceremony as the royal family and fans unite to mark the King's birthday. As they arrived at Buckingham Palace, William and Kate sat in the back of a car with little Prince Louis, seven - while Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince George, 11 sat together in front. Charlotte was seen waving at the crowds as the car passed, while Kate and William smiled fondly. They were followed by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, who arrived together in a car, without either of their children - Lady Louise, 21 and James, 17. As the parade got underway from Buckingham Palace, the King and Queen were seen waving and smiling as they proceeded down the Mall in an open-top carriage before the national anthem was played as they made their way to the Horse Guards Palace. While Prince William rode on horseback and looked almost unrecognisable, Kate sat in a carriage with their three children and smiled widely as she shared a sweet moment with Princess Charlotte. Prince George and Prince Louis wore matching suits and ties and sat opposite. Thousands of royal fans lined the Mall and erupted into cheers and applause as the royal family passed by. Prince Wales was amongst many royals, soldiers and carriage drivers who wore black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Air India plane crash on Thursday. The monarch requested a minute's silence to be held during the ceremony in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad. The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte are seen smiling broadly as they took part in the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday Some 53 Brits were onboard the doomed flight - all but one are believed to have been killed, along with dozens on the ground bringing the final death toll to at least 270. Black armbands were worn by the head of state and senior royals wearing military uniform riding in the ceremony to mark the King's official birthday. On horseback and wearing the armbands were the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards. King Charles, who is receiving ongoing cancer treatment, rode in a carriage as he did last year with his wife Queen Camilla. The Queen wore a white silk crepe dress with silver embroidery by Anna Valentine with a hat by Philip Treacy and a Grenadier Guards brooch. Fans gathered early on the Mall on Saturday and braved the rain while hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family. A small group of protesters carrying placards reading 'Not my King' was also in attendance. The procession was led on Saturday by a carriage carrying the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, ahead of a second in which the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will travel. The Prince of Wales, Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh followed behind on horseback. The Princess of Wales bears a radiant smile as she accompanies her children during the parade today The King waves to protesters against the monarchy who lined a section of the Mall on Saturday Members of the Household Cavalry are some of the more than 1,400 soldiers taking part today Prince George of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales travel by carriage during Trooping The Colour The Princess of Wales and her children wore coordinating outfits as they took part in the public spectacle today King Charles III salutes his soldiers at the parade ground during the Trooping the Colour Prime Minsiter Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria watch the Trooping the Colour parade The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester leave Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London Carriages leave Buckingham Palace during the Trooping of the Colour parade The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children have been spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of today's Trooping the Colour ceremony to mark the King's birthday Prince Louis didn't look thrilled to be joining today's celebrations, which take place every year to mark the monarch's birthday King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace moments before the parade began The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony in central London Read More Prince Louis makes sure all eyes are on him during RAF flypast... until big brother George steps in! It is the first time Princess Anne has ridden in public since she suffered a head injury, thought to be caused by a horse, at her home last year. The Princess of Wales travelled down the Mall in an Ascot Landau seated beside her daughter Princess Charlotte, while Prince George and Prince Louis sat opposite. King Charles III and Queen Camilla passed the royal fans in their own carriage before the King inspects his troops. After arriving at the parade ground, Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards - a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. A minute's silence was then held to remember all the victims of this week's Air India disaster. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles requested amendments to the Trooping the Colour programme 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy'. The King issued a written message soon after the plane crash, saying he was 'desperately shocked by the terrible events' and expressed his 'deepest possible sympathy'. Posting on social media ahead of the ceremony this morning, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Sending my best wishes to His Majesty The King today at Trooping the Colour. God Save The King.' The occasion transforms the Mall as crowds line up the streets waving flags as 1400 soldiers parade alongside 200 horses and 400 musicians from Horse Guard's Parade to Buckingham Palace. Prince George was dressed in a navy blue suit and red tie for today's event Princess Anne salutes as she rides on horseback during the procession Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Timothy Laurence wave during Trooping The Colour 2025 The Duchess of Edinburgh is pictured during today's Trooping the Colour as she rode in an open-top carriage Princess Anne arrives at Buckingham Palace on Saturday before participating in Trooping the Colour William and Kate smile at those gathered along the Mall as they arrived at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour Fans of the royal family lined the Mall from early on Saturday morning to watch the parade A group of women dressed in Union Jacks take their place on the Mall hoping to see the royals Officers of the Grenadier Guards mounted on horses ride along the Mall as they take part in the Trooping the Color in London Members of the King's Guard take part in the Trooping the Colour parade which honours Britain's King Charles on his official birthday Members of the King's guards stand to attention during the Trooping the Colour Members of the Coldstream Guards during the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, on June 14 Final preparations are made for the annual ceremony, to celebrate the monarch's birthday, on Saturday Read More Charlotte bears striking resemblance to Kate as they match their Trooping the Colour ensembles After the Trooping ceremony is over, the Royal Family will make their group appearance on the Palace balcony before the day concludes with a flypast. As a former polo player and one of the Royal Family's most accomplished equestrians, King Charles rode for years in the parade - both for his mother's official birthday celebrations and then for his own. But he did not appear on horseback at the event this weekend and instead travelled in a carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back. Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition that marks the Sovereign's official birthday. It dates back to the 17th century and is rooted in battlefield custom, when regimental flags, or 'colours,' were trooped in front of soldiers to ensure they could be recognised amid the smoke of combat. Last week a full-dress rehearsal, known as The Colonel's Review, took place serving as the final run-through before the King's official celebration. This year, the honour of trooping the Colour falls to the Coldstream Guards, who will officially present their regimental flag, known as the Colour, to King Charles. Final preparations for the Trooping the Colour took place on Saturday morning, including preparing the Buckingham Palace balcony for the royals' appearance Anti-monarchy protesters stand along the route of the parade holding signs reading 'Not my King' Hundreds of people lined the streets of the Mall ahead of today's ceremony Members of the Foot Guards outside Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday Following the Trooping ceremony, all eyes will be on the royal balcony to see who King Charles invites to wave to the crowds. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be front and centre on the balcony to watch the Red Arrows flypast, but it expected a host of senior royals will be alongside them. Prince William is joined by the Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Princess Anne will feature with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Prince Edward - who like Anne will be fresh from his part in the procession - is expected on the balcony with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. They are likely to be joined by their daughter Lady Louise, 21. Their son James, the Earl of Wessex, 17, did not make an appearance last year and may not attend the ceremony this time around either. Despite his increasing frailty, the staunchly devoted Duke of Kent, 89, will likely also be among the royals on the balcony. Also expected is the hard-working Duke of Gloucester, 80, and his 78-year-old wife Birgitte, the Duchess. A minute's silence is expected to be observed by the royals and the crowd after the deaths of 52 Brits in a plane crash in India on Thursday. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, managed to stagger away from the disaster that killed at least 270 people including everyone else on the doomed plane. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad. He says the plane's lights flickered and it felt 'stuck' and unable to ascend Chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building The monarch has requested a minute's silence in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad Remnants of the fuselage and the landing gear were seen dangling through a gaping hole in the side of what appeared to be a canteen, with half-finished plates of food clearly visible on benches inside CCTV footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball He is miraculously the only survivor and also lost his brother Ajay in the crash. He has been describing how it felt like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was 'stuck in the air' and 'came to a standstill' rather than climbing after take off. As expected, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are not attending this year's celebrations. Having chosen to walk away from being working royals, they have not been present at Trooping the Colour since 2019. The other notable absentee will be Prince Andrew, who remains exiled from public royal events amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and the claims made by late accuser Virginia Giuffre. Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are not expected to be there either amid Charles' desire for a slimmed-down monarchy and to keep the focus on working royals. Members of the royal family are expected to watch the flypast - including the RAF Red Arrows and a range of planes and helicopters - from the balcony. In previous years it has been a moment where the royal children shine - with little Prince Louis delighting fans last year as pretended to fly one of the planes, appearing to screw up his face as he mimicked the engine's deafening noise. The route for the flypast has not been officially confirmed, but the Military Air Shows has revealed an air restrictions map which shows the expected official route. Proposed restrictions are in the vicinity of the North Sea, East Anglia, Essex and London. Its expected the flypast will go over Buckingham Palace at 1pm. Held traditionally on the second Saturday in June, regardless of the Sovereign's actual date of birth, the celebrations have marked the monarch's official birthday since the mid-1700s. Queen Elizabeth attended all but two of her Trooping the Colours, missing it in 1955 when a national rail strike resulted in the event being cancelled and in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions. In 2017, Trooping was held a few days days after the Grenfell Tower blaze and the loss of life was marked by a minute's silence, a decision taken by Queen Elizabeth II. The parade is open to members of the public through an online ballot with ticketing ranging from £10 to £30 and is broadcast live on the BBC. What is Trooping the Colour? The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday. The streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages. The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony. Once the Sovereign has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade in Whitehall, they are greeted by a Royal salute and carry out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats. After the military bands have performed, the escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Over one hundred words of command are used by the Officer in Command of the Parade to direct the several hundred soldiers. Once the Foot Guards have marched past the Sovereign, they ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again at the Palace from a dais. The Sovereign is then joined by other Members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. A 41-gun salute is also fired in Green Park to mark the occasion. Source:
South Wales Guardian
26 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Royal decorum: George calms exuberant brother Louis during Trooping flypast
George, 11, Louis, seven, and their sister Charlotte, 10, watched a flypast of military aircraft from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on Saturday with their grandfather, the King, the Queen, and their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales. Louis, wearing a red tie and dark suit that matched his brother's, began enthusiastically waving at the crowd, drawing big cheers from those standing in the Mall to watch the Red Arrows fly overhead. He briefly stopped to turn around and address his father, then continued to wave and grin until George gently nudged him to stop by touching his arm. But the youngest prince could not resist giving the crowd one last wave as his family retreated into Buckingham Palace after the flypast ended. The children had ridden to Horse Guards Parade with their mother and sister in a carriage earlier in the day to watch the troops celebrating the King's official birthday. Boisterous Louis has become known for entertaining royal fans with his reactions during royal events. During VE Day celebrations earlier this year, the young prince appeared to playfully imitate George as the siblings watched the military procession from the Queen Victoria Memorial. Louis seemed to copy the way his brother flicked his hair, then smoothed down his own in an exaggerated fashion. He similarly stole the limelight at last year's Trooping the Colour ceremony, yawning and later dancing during the quick march of the Scots Guards to Highland Laddie. During the 2023 Trooping the Colour parade, Louis, then aged five, ostensibly held his nose to possibly ward off the smell of horse manure from the many military mounts. He was also seen yawning and fidgeting during the service for his grandfather's coronation at Westminster Abbey in May 2023. This year marks the third Trooping the Colour parade of Charles' reign. The King requested that members of the royal family in uniform wear black armbands in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed on Thursday when an Air India plane bound for Gatwick crashed in Ahmedabad. The colour – regimental flag – being trooped this year is the King's Colour of Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign's bodyguard and which is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year.
