London – June 13, 2026: On Saturday, June 13, 2026, members of the British royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the traditional “Trooping the Colour” ceremony. This annual event marks the official birthday of King Charles III and is one of the key dates in the royal calendar.
The celebration began with a royal procession from Buckingham Palace to the Royal Horse Guards Parade ground. King Charles III and Queen Camilla rode in an open carriage, accompanied by the Guard, while thousands of people gathered along the route to welcome their arrival. At the Horse Guards Parade, the King inspected the Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Artillery Mounted Troops. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians participated in the parade, with precise marching formations and music highlighting the traditional connection between the monarchy and the military.
After the parade, the royal family members returned to the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force. Fighter jets flew over London, trailing red, white, and blue smoke to symbolize national pride.
In addition to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Timothy Laurence, and Princess Anne also appeared on the balcony. This family gathering expressed the close unity of the royal members on official occasions.
The event attracted a large audience from across the UK, who gathered in the streets around the palace to experience the festive atmosphere and grand celebration. However, anti-monarchy groups held protest signs during the ceremony, including ones that read “Not my king” and featured photos of Prince Andrew, expressing ongoing criticism of the monarchy.
“Trooping the Colour” originates from centuries-old military tradition, initially used to display regimental flags to soldiers, and now mainly symbolizes the connection between the military and the royal family, a mark of the continuity of the monarchy. This ceremony is held every June, attracting not only British citizens but also large numbers of international tourists.
The celebration ended with another flypast by the Royal Air Force, with aircraft flying over the palace in various formations, performing impressive aerial maneuvers. The 2026 “Trooping the Colour” showcased to the public the important role of British history and the modern monarchy.