As King Charles III’s reign begins, the annual Trooping the Colour parade is set to commemorate his birthday on June 17. But what exactly is Trooping the Colour?
The tradition dates back to the reign of King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685. During this time, soldiers would rally while in battle while holding the specific flag, or “colour,” of their regiment. Officers would carry the flag during times of peace, so other military personnel could recognize the patriotic item.
Nowadays, the tradition is held to commemorate the sovereign’s birthday and involves a group of regiments called the Household Division. These seven regiments, which comprise a five-foot-two cavalry, guard official royal residences. The King and Queen primarily have a parade from Buckingham Palace down the mall to Horse Guard Parade, where the soldiers are inspected by the King.
Trooping the Colour became a time-honored tradition during the reigns of George II and his grandson George III, who served as heads of the monarchy from 1727 to 1760 and 1760 to 1820, respectively.
The event brings a large crowd to see it, according to royal expert Gareth Russell. “It’s a chance for those seven regiments to sort of get together and also to be formally acknowledged by the monarchy for the role they play throughout the year in guarding them,” Russell said.
Compared to the late Queen’s previous celebrations, Charles’ ceremony will be a lot more elaborate. The King will ride on horseback during the parade, a tradition that hasn’t been seen for nearly three decades. Queen Elizabeth last saddled up in 1986 and opted for a carriage ride throughout the rest of her celebrations. The royal family’s official website states that over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians are involved in the festivities.
“It’s a big event regardless of the scale of it, but because this is the first of Charles III’s reign, we are seeing more soldiers involved,” explained Russell. “[Charles] certainly wanted to take the salute from horseback. It matches the tone of the inaugural, for want of a better word, Trooping of the Colour for his reign.”
While the event celebrates the birth of Charles, 74, he won’t celebrate his actual birthday until November 14. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, also held her respective Trooping the Colour in June while her actual birthday fell in April. The queen died in September 2022 at age 96 after 70 years on the throne.
As the world watches King Charles III’s first-ever Trooping the Colour as monarch, it is indeed a time to hail to the King.
References
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/queen-elizabeth/
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/a-breakdown-of-the-royal-line-of-succession-in-photos/
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/how-king-charles-1st-trooping-the-colour-will-be-different/
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/meet-king-charles-iiis-8-royal-coronation-horses/
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/princess-anne-was-only-royal-on-horseback-for-coronation-details/
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/queen-elizabeths-corgis-horse-stood-near-windsor-castle-at-funeral/
- https://www.royal.uk/king%E2%80%99s-birthday-parade-trooping-colour-will-take-place-17-june-2023
- https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/prince-william-praises-guards-for-rehearsal-after-2-faint-photos/
