Central London was flooded with thousands of citizens and tourists who gathered to watch “Trooping the Colour,” the annual military ceremony celebrating the official birthday of King Charles. This is one of the most iconic events of the British monarchy and a tradition maintained for nearly three centuries, attracting crowds of visitors from Britain and around the world each year.
The King and Queen leave Buckingham Palace for The King’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. pic.twitter.com/txZkmdH4ju
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 13, 2026
A family at the heart of the nation.#TroopingTheColour pic.twitter.com/EbdCjklThG
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) June 13, 2026
La Familia Real británica vive este sábado el desfile Trooping the Colours 🇬🇧. #troopingthecolour #royals #familiarealbritanica pic.twitter.com/LpxoRnPBPI
— Revista ¡HOLA! (@hola) June 13, 2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the procession
The 77-year-old monarch and Queen Camilla led the procession from Buckingham Palace to the historic Horse Guards Parade, the ceremonial square of the Royal Guards next to St. James’s Park. There, the main part of the ceremony takes place, with the king inspecting the troops. For the second consecutive year, King Charles traveled by carriage rather than on horseback, as he continues his cancer treatment.
Over 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses in the parade
The magnificent parade began around 10:30 AM British time, with the participation of more than 1,400 soldiers, approximately 200 horses, and over 400 members of military bands. Shortly after 12:30, the procession returned to Buckingham Palace, while the spectacular finale of the celebrations is expected with the royal family’s appearance on the balcony and the aerial display by the Red Arrows. Trooping the Colour is one of the few moments during the year when almost all senior members of the royal family appear together publicly.
Weather conditions were ideal, with many spectators taking their positions from dawn along The Mall, the road connecting Buckingham Palace to the center of celebrations, to secure the best possible view.
Missing someone #TroopingTheColour pic.twitter.com/tSsJVp8hSX
— Mies (@MiesBee) June 13, 2026
Thousands make their way down The Mall as excitement builds ahead of the Royal Family’s balcony appearance and the RAF flypast.#TroopingTheColour pic.twitter.com/fML6qwfzwP
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) June 13, 2026
Just end watched the Red Arrows fly ✈️✈️✈️✈️ #TroopingTheColour pic.twitter.com/yhlNf3CVIJ
— JIX5A (@JIX5A) June 13, 2026
The King and Queen have led a procession of the Royal Family for the famous #TroopingTheColour ceremony to mark the monarch’s official birthday. https://t.co/h2DFwlw8hK (Images: PA). pic.twitter.com/5vJuWnMU1i
— Solihull Updates (@SolihullUpdates) June 13, 2026
Kate Middleton steals the show again
As every year, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, captured most of the attention this year as well. Almost the entire royal family participated in the celebrations, with the exception of the former Prince Andrew.
Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, arrived at Buckingham Palace in a burgundy Bentley to take part in the celebrations for King Charles’ birthday.
Kate Middleton delivered yet another lesson in elegance, choosing a spring coat in blue shades with white details on the collar, a creation by her favorite designer Catherine Walker. She completed the outfit with a large hat, perfect for the sunny day in London.
Her daughter, Princess Charlotte, chose a white dress, which she paired with a large white bow in her hair. Her two sons, Prince George and Prince Louis, were color-coordinated with their mother, wearing blue ties in the same shade as the Princess of Wales’ coat. As for Prince William, he appeared wearing his military uniform, actively participating in the ceremony.
