Trooping the Colour Celebrates King Charles III's Official Birthday

The annual Trooping the Colour parade marked King Charles III's official birthday with a procession from Buckingham Palace, royal participation on horseback and carriage, musical performances, and a Red Arrows flypast.

Annual Trooping the Colour Parade

Crowds gathered to witness the annual Trooping the Colour parade, an event held to celebrate King Charles III's official birthday. The procession commenced from Buckingham Palace, with King Charles and Queen Camilla traveling in a carriage along The Mall towards Horseguard's Parade.

The King and Queen riding in a carriage. He is wearing the uniform of the Grenadier Guards as well as a number of medals. Queen Camilla is wearing a red, silk crepe, grenadier guards uniform dress and a black beret. — The King and Queen rode in an Ascot Landau carriage, purchased during the reign of Queen Victoria. The King wore the uniform of the Grenadier Guards featuring the cypher of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II

The King wore the uniform of the Grenadier Guards, which featured the cypher of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The carriage they rode in was an Ascot Landau, a historic vehicle purchased during Queen Victoria's reign.

Royal Participation

As royal colonels, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Edinburgh participated on horseback. Prince William rode a horse named Darby, Prince Edward was mounted on Sir John, and Princess Anne rode Noble.

Prince William, Prince Edward and Princess Anne in full military regailia, riding on horseback — Prince William (left) rode on a horse called Darby, Prince Edward (centre) was on Sir John, and Princess Anne (right) was on Noble

Other attendees included the Princess of Wales and her three children, who traveled by carriage. The Duchess of Edinburgh also traveled by carriage, accompanied by Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of the Princess Royal.

Princess Catherine smiles while sitting next to Prince Louis in a carriage, She is wearing a light blue wide-brimmed hat and a light blue jacket with white-trimmed lapels and a brooch. Louis is wearing a suit with a light blue tie. — Catherine, Princess of Wales, wearing a pale blue Catherine Walker jacket and a Philip Treacy hat, travelled in a carriage alongside her children

Princess Charlotte and Prince George ride in a carriage with a tan interior. She is wearing a white dress with a white bow in her hair and is smiling. He is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. — Prince George and Princess Charlotte sat opposite their mother

The Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence ride in a black carriage. She is wearing a white dress with a collar and a brooch with a white hat. He is wearing a dark suit with a blue tie. — The Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of the Princess Royal, rode in the first carriage in the procession

Musical and Public Engagement

The Massed Bands of the Household Division, comprising some of the 400 musicians involved in the event, provided musical accompaniment throughout the procession. Crowds lined both sides of The Mall to observe the ceremonial proceedings.

Musicians from the Massed Bands of the Household Division parade during Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2026 in London, England. Four lines of musicians walk wearing a full red, white and black uniform, all of which are playing brass instruments. They are led by a man in the front and centre, wearing a smaller hat and wearing a sash. — The Massed Bands of the Household Division represented some of the 400 musicians involved in the event

Crowds line both sides of the Mall and watch musicians from the Massed Bands of the Household Division parade from Buckingham Palace. Rows of onlookers stand in the sunshine, many with their mobile phones aloft. On the Mall, musicians in red, white and black uniform parade and play their instruments. — Crowds lined both sides of The Mall to watch the proceedings

Flypast and Conclusion

The celebrations concluded with a flypast by the Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, which passed over Buckingham Palace at 13:00 BST. The Royal Family observed the flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.