What is Trooping the Colour? Royal parade explained
King Charles III will experience his first Trooping the Colour as king in 2023, with the annual event set to return on Saturday June 17.
The ceremony, which will take place on Horse Guards Parade, will feature over 1,400 officers and 200 horses.
So, what exactly is Trooping the Colour and how long does the royal parade actually last?
Here is everything you need to know about Trooping the Colour, explained.
Trooping the Colour, which will take place on Horse Guards Parade, will feature over 1,400 officers and 200 horses.
What is Trooping the Colour?
The Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place to celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch in the UK and has been held every year for the past 260 years.
This year, the display will take place on Saturday June 17. It will feature the King’s personal troops, the Household Division – who will be situated on Horse Guards Parade – with the King himself set to attend and take salute.
The popular event will attract big crowds, who will be seen 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.
Some 113 words of command will be given by the Officer in Command of the Parade. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
During the ceremony, Charles will be greeted by a royal salute, before carrying 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 massed bands have performed a musical ‘troop’, the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks.
The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry will march past His Majesty, The King’s Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery. Subsequently, the King shall ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace.
His Majesty will then join other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
The Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place to celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch in the UK and has been held every year for the past years 260 years. Pictured: the late Queen Elizabeth II performs a smart salute during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1986
How long does Trooping the Colour last?
Every year in May and June there are three Trooping the Colour parades.
The first is the Major General’s Review, which is the first public rehearsal for the parade and takes place on the Saturday two weeks before the King’s Birthday Parade.
This is followed by the Colonel’s Review, which is the second public rehearsal and takes place on the Saturday before the King’s Birthday Parade.
Trooping the Colour culminates with The King’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade – this is the actual parade attended by The King
The parade is set to last for two hours, starting at 10.25am and ending at 12.25pm, when the royals will then head to the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
The RAF flypast is scheduled for approximately 1pm.
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