Trooping the Colour: A Grand British Tradition

Trooping the Colour is a spectacular British tradition that celebrates the monarch’s official birthday with a grand military parade. Delve into the history of this event, discover what to expect at the 2024 ceremony, and find out how you can watch this magnificent display of pageantry and precision. Whether attending in person or tuning in from home, experience the unity and pride of the British Armed Forces and the Royal Family.

Table of Contents

• What is Trooping the Colour?
• How Did Trooping the Colour Start?
• What Does Trooping the Colour Mean?
• The 2024 Trooping the Colour Ceremony
• When is the King’s Birthday Parade?
• Who Will Be Participating?
• Which Regiment’s Colour is Being Represented This Year?
• Where Can I Watch Trooping the Colour?
• What is the Route?
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Question

What is Trooping the Colour?

“Trooping the Colour” is a majestic military ceremony that has become a cornerstone of British royal tradition. This annual event, brimming with pageantry and precision, showcases the discipline and unity of the British Armed Forces while celebrating the sovereign’s official birthday. It is a spectacular display of regimental colours, drills, and parades, steeped in history and watched by millions around the world.

How Did Trooping the Colour Start?

The origins of Trooping the Colour date back to the early 18th century. The tradition was prompted by Britain’s characteristically unpredictable weather. In 1748, when George II was born in the winter, it was decided his birth would actually be celebrated over the summer, when the weather lent itself to more comfortable outside festivities. This practical drill evolved into a ceremonial event, symbolizing the loyalty and commitment of the British Army to the Crown. The tradition was formalized during the reign of King George II, who began celebrating his birthday with a grand military parade.

What Does Trooping the Colour Mean?

Trooping the Colour symbolizes unity, loyalty, and the enduring bond between the British monarch and the Armed Forces. The ceremony serves as a vivid reminder of the history and traditions of the British Army. The “colours” were the names given to the flags of each regiment of the Army. To ensure every officer knew to which regiment they belonged, officers would march up and down in front of their troops (this is called “trooping”), waving their flags (or “colours”), so everyone could see which colour belonged to which regiment. Each year, a different regiment’s colour is represented at Trooping the Colour.

The 2024 Trooping the Colour Ceremony

When is the King’s Birthday Parade?

While King Charles was born on 14 November, as part of a long-standing tradition dating back to the 18th century, his birthday is publicly celebrated on a different date in June. Trooping the Colour has traditionally been held on a weekend, when His Majesty’s personal troops of the Household Division – the oldest regiments of the British Army – perform on the Horse Guard Parade in London. In 2024, the King’s Birthday Parade will take place on Saturday, June 15th. This date is carefully selected to align with the tradition of celebrating the monarch’s official birthday in early June, a period often marked by favourable weather.

Who Will Be Participating?

The ceremony will see participation from over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians from ten bands. The Foot Guards and Household Cavalry will take centre stage, displaying their exceptional marching skills and ceremonial duties. The Household Division is sometimes referred to as the King’s bodyguards and have been a part of the monarchy since the English Civil War ended in 1660. Senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III, will attend, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.

Which Regiment’s Colour is Being Represented This Year?

In 2024, the esteemed honour of presenting the colour falls to the Coldstream Guards. Known for their long-standing history and distinguished service, the Coldstream Guards will proudly parade their colours, symbolizing their commitment and loyalty to the Crown.

What Will Happen on the Day?

The Mall Procession

The festivities will commence with a grand procession down The Mall, a ceremonial avenue leading from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Crowds will line the streets, waving flags and cheering as the parade marches past.

Horse Guards Parade

The heart of the ceremony will take place at Horse Guards Parade, where the main spectacle unfolds. Here, the regiments will showcase their drill routines, culminating in the trooping of the colour. The King will inspect the troops, a tradition that underscores the bond between the monarch and the military. The ceremony will begin at around 10:30 am with His Majesty processing down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade. He will then be greeted by a royal salute and a 41-gun salute fire from Green Park, after which the King will conduct an inspection of his troops – all of whom will be active soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.

Following the performance by the military bands, the escorted regimental colour, or flag, is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Once the footguards have marched past Charles, he will return back to Buckingham Palace.

At around 1 pm, the King will then go out onto the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the fly-past by the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows. The pilots will have taken off earlier in the day, travelling down the east coast of England, before heading into central London – where they will fly down The Mall and over members of the Royal Family.

Green Park 41-Gun Salute

Following the parade, a 41-gun salute will be fired in Green Park. This traditional salute, executed by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, is a powerful and symbolic tribute to the sovereign.

Royal Air Force Red Arrows

The day’s events will conclude with a breath-taking flypast by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows. These skilled pilots will perform intricate aerial manoeuvres, painting the sky with their signature red, white, and blue smoke trails, much to the delight of spectators.

Where Can I Watch Trooping the Colour?

In Person

To watch the Trooping the Colour Parade live, in London, you will have to apply for places in the seated stands at the Horse Guard’s Parade, on the Household Division’s website. Alternatively, if you wish to watch any of the parades for free, you can stand on The Mall or on the edge of St James’s Park overlooking the Horse Guards Parade. Members of the public are advised to start standing from 9 am. Restrooms and refreshments will be found in St James’s Park.

On TV

If you can’t make it to London, you can still enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your home. The BBC traditionally broadcasts Trooping the Colour live, providing comprehensive coverage of the parade, including behind-the-scenes insights and historical context. The event will be broadcast live on BBC One and will also be available afterwards on iPlayer. Along with the State Opening of Parliament, the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade is one of the biggest events in the ceremonial calendar. Millions of Britons on the streets of the capital and on television are likely to watch this year’s Trooping the Colour.

Which Royals Will Attend?

Alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla will attend the annual event. While the Palace has yet to confirm the rest of the guest list, we do know Charles is highly likely to invite the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, William, his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their three children. Amid her own cancer treatment, though, Catherine is not expected to take part in the ceremony after her absence was noted from a major rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour. In March, she revealed that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, and when a Palace spokesperson was asked about her return to public duties, they said: “The Princess will return to official duties when she is cleared to do so by her medical team. She is in good spirits and is focused on making a full recovery.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reportedly not invited to this year’s Trooping the Colour, with Harry and Meghan not having attended the annual event since 2019. Other royals who are likely to participate in the event, and stood on the Palace’s balcony last year, include Anne, Princess Royal, her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

What is the Route?

Trooping the Colour commences on Horse Guards Parade at 10am and ends at 12.25pm. The King will process down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in a royal procession. After receiving his royal salute, he will inspect his troops before returning to the Palace, surveying a further march-past from outside its gates. He will then make his way to the balcony.

Conclusion

Trooping the Colour is more than just a parade; it is a vibrant celebration of British heritage and the enduring relationship between the monarchy and the military. Whether you watch it in person or on television, this grand event is sure to inspire awe and admiration, reflecting the rich traditions and pride of the United Kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions