Trooping the colour FIT FOR A KING

THE WALES FAMILY COMES OUT TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION

- Kylie Walters

Standing on Buckingham Palace’s balcony surrounded by loved ones following a parade in his honour, it was truly a celebration fit for a king on June 14 as Charles III’s official birthday was marked. With all the pomp and pageantry associated with royal life on full display at Trooping the Colour, it is easy to see why the annual military parade has become one of the most highly anticipated events on London’s social calendar.

Dating back to 1748, when it was first performed during the reign of Charles II, Trooping the Colour is now held each June to mark the reigning sovereign’s birthday - despite Charles actually being born on November 14, with later in the year being considered far too cold to hold the event. Over 1000 soldiers took part in this year’s event, which saw the Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards troop their colours for the monarch, meaning they lined up for inspection and presented their regiments’ flags directly to King Charles.