Trooping the Colour 2024: when it starts, how to watch and outline of the day

May 2024 · 5 minute read

The King's birthday parade – known as Trooping the Colour – is a ceremonial event in London, which sees the royals gather for a spectacular military parade.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 75, will participate in the procession, but amid his ongoing cancer treatment, he will ride in a carriage rather than on horseback.

Since 1748, the parade has marked the sovereign's official birthday, despite Charles' actual birthday falling on 14 November.

MORE ON TROOPING THE COLOUR

In 2023, the King took part in his birthday parade of his reign, becoming the first monarch to ride on horseback since Queen Elizabeth II last did in 1986.

WATCH: Learn more about Trooping the Colour

Here's everything you need to know about Trooping the Colour 2024, which royals are involved and how you can watch.

When is Trooping the Colour and what time does it start?

This year's parade takes place on Saturday 15 June, starting from 10am until 12.25, with the flypast scheduled for 1pm. 

What happens at Trooping the Colour?

It will see over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday.

The ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or 'trooped') down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.

The procession starts at Buckingham Palace and travels down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. King Charles will inspect the soldiers and give a salute from his carriage, before leading the troops in a parade back to Buckingham Palace.

The event ends with the royal family watching the Royal Air Force flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

How to watch

While tickets for the seated stands to watch the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade have already been allocated, you can catch a glimpse of the procession with the crowds on the edge of St James's Park or along The Mall.

Alternatively, you can watch the parade live on television across the BBC.

Which royals will attend?

While the King and Queen will be in attendance, the palace is yet to confirm which members of the royal family will take part this year. 

On Friday, it was confirmed that the Princess of Wales would be making an appearance alongside her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The event will be the royal's first official outing since her appearance at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

Since the start of Charles' reign, only senior working royals have participated in Trooping the Colour and appeared on the balcony. During Queen Elizabeth II's reign, she would often invite extended members of her family.

Last year, the King was joined on horseback by the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla were joined in their carriage by Prince William and Kate's three children.

The Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, also took part in the procession, riding in a separate carriage.

Dress code

Typically, male members of the royal family are dressed in military uniform, while ladies wear day dress and a hat.

Meanwhile, if you've been lucky to bag a ticket for the ceremony, the Household Division website states the dress code as: "Morning dress or lounge suit for gentlemen, equivalent for ladies (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals). Serving Military personnel may wear Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, without swords or sidearms) or equivalent."

Trooping the Colour rehearsal

The Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade took place on 8 June, the week before Trooping the Colour. 

The Princess of Wales missed the ceremony amid her ongoing cancer treatment but wrote a heartfelt apology letter to the Irish Guards.

Kate, 42, who is colonel of the regiment, spoke of her pride in them and added that being colonel "remains an honour".

The letter said: "I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel's Review and Trooping the Colour.

"I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.

"Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year's Colonel's Review."

Lieutenant General James Bucknall, KCB, CBE, carried out the role of Inspecting Officer on behalf of the Princess.

LISTEN: Why Princess Kate could make an appearance at Trooping the Colour

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