2 days ago
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- Edinburgh Live
Prince William's 'true feelings' on key Trooping the Colour role confirmed
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The Royal Family is in full preparation mode for the upcoming Trooping the Colour festivities, which are just around the corner. In keeping with time-honoured tradition, senior royals will saddle up and accompany the King's carriage during the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade.
Word has it that King Charles, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, will be riding in a carriage, while Prince William, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward will join the procession on horseback.
As the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, last year saw William riding alongside other senior royals decked out in the bright red uniform featuring a leek emblem at the neck, complemented by a traditional bearskin cap accented with the regiment's distinct white and green plume.
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Adorned with his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash, Royal Air Force Pilot Wings, and four medals – the Gold, Diamond, Platinum Jubilee medals, alongside the Coronation Medal, William cut a striking figure.
A source confided to the Sunday Times regarding the heir-to-the-throne's views on participating in the procession atop a horse: "He really enjoys it."
These comments regarding William's participation this year follow reports suggesting that King Charles might choose the comfort of a carriage ride for a second consecutive year, reports the Mirror.
And despite King Charles likely opting out of horseback riding in this year's parade, the occasion will mark the first time Princess Royal is seen riding publicly since her hospitalisation for a suspected equine-related injury last year.
At 74, Anne is set to participate in the parade this year, taking up her position as gold stick, which involves her role as colonel of the Blues and Royals. She will be riding alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, who serves as colonel of the Scots Guards and London Guards, as well as Prince William.
King Charles has been a fixture on horseback in the parade, both for his mother's birthday celebrations and his own. However, due to his struggle with cancer, the 76 year old King is expected to travel by carriage again this year, repeating last year's mode of transport.
A Royal aide recently shared insights into King Charles's health battle, stating: "The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it. And that's what he does."
They added: "Medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him... As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible."
Continuing on King Charles's health, the aide remarked: "It's no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well. As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it."
2023 marked the last year King Charles rode in the ceremony, which was a momentous occasion as it was the first time a monarch had ridden in the parade since Queen Elizabeth did back in 1986. After her trusted horse retired, Queen Elizabeth then opted for a carriage from 1987 until her final appearance in 2022, where she gave her salute from Buckingham Palace's balcony.
The annual Trooping the Colour event, traditionally held in June to celebrate the sovereign's official birthday since King George IV ascended the throne in 1820, has been a steadfast tradition barring interruptions during the world wars and a national strike in 1955. In 2020, due to the Covid pandemic, a pared-down version of the festivities took place at Windsor Castle.
The 2025 Trooping the Colour, officially dubbed The King's Birthday Parade, is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, in London.
