London – 13.06.2026: On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the British royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to commemorate the traditional “Trooping the Colour” ceremony. This annual event marks the official birthday of King Charles III and is one of the most important events for the royal household.
The celebration began with a royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. King Charles III and Queen Camilla traveled in an open carriage, accompanied by the Household Cavalry, while thousands of people gathered along The Mall to greet them. At Horse Guards Parade, the King inspected the troops of the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. In total, more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians participated in the parade, which highlighted the historic connection between the monarchy and the armed forces with precise marching formations and music.
After the parade, the royal family returned to Buckingham Palace, where they gathered on the balcony to watch the Royal Air Force flypast. Military jets flew in formation over the skies of London, leaving smoke trails in red, white, and blue, a striking symbol of national pride.
Alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the balcony were also Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sir Timothy Laurence, and Princess Anne. This family gathering was seen as an expression of unity within the royal family on this official occasion.
The event attracted numerous spectators from across the United Kingdom, who gathered in the streets around the palace to experience the atmosphere and solemn spectacle. However, there were also protests by anti-monarchy groups displaying banners such as “Not my king” and showing images of Prince Andrew to draw attention to their ongoing criticisms of the monarchy.
“Trooping the Colour” traces back to a centuries-old military tradition. Originally, it served to show soldiers the regimental flags, and today it mainly symbolizes the army’s connection to the crown, celebrated as a symbol of monarchical continuity. The ceremony is held every year in June and, besides British citizens, attracts many international visitors.
The closing of the celebrations was another Royal Air Force flypast, during which the planes performed various formations over the palace impressing the audience with their maneuvers. Altogether, the 2026 “Trooping the Colour” offered an impressive view of British history and the role of the monarchy in modern Great Britain.