Amidst the buzz of the upcoming general election campaign, preparations for Trooping the Colour 2024 are well underway.
This grand celebration marks King Charles’s birthday, a deviation from the usual royal tradition.
Dating back to 1760, Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old ceremony that serves as the official birthday celebration for the monarch, despite King Charles’s actual birthday falling on November 14.
The event boasts a spectacle of 1,600 parading soldiers, 400 musicians, and over 200 majestic horses, culminating in a thrilling raft flypast over Buckingham Palace, where the royal family eagerly watches from the palace balcony.
Express.co.uk presents a comprehensive guide to all the essential details of this year’s Trooping the Colour.
From rehearsal schedules to the official timing of the ceremony and the distinguished royals expected to attend, we have you covered.
Let’s delve into the enchanting world of Trooping the Colour, a beloved tradition that has captured hearts for generations.
Traditionally held on a Saturday in June since 1959, Trooping the Colour has seen various dates over the years.
From 1979 to 2017 and again in 2023, the event took place on a Saturday between June 11 and 17.
In 2018, it occurred on June 9, and in 2019, on June 8.
The pandemic altered proceedings in 2020 and 2021, with ceremonies downsized and relocated to Windsor Castle.
However, in 2022, a special twist unfolded as the ceremony was scheduled for Thursday, June 2, aligning with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in honor of the late Queen.
Last year, King Charles experienced his inaugural Trooping as the sovereign on June 17, riding onto Horse Guards in Whitehall just six weeks after his coronation.
Now, the British Army has announced an extraordinary khaki rehearsal of the Trooping Parade, featuring almost 1,000 soldiers and around 240 horses from the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Shaw will ensure the troops meet standards ahead of the Major General’s Review, Colonel’s Review, and the grand Trooping the Colour on June 15.
The No.
9 Company, Irish Guards, has been chosen to display their colors proudly, with the regiment’s ceremonial flag marching through the ranks.
Leading the procession will be the band of the Irish Guards, accompanied by pipes and drums, with the regal Irish wolfhound Seamus, also known as Toloch Moore, serving as the regimental mascot.
The music will feature a blend of traditional Celtic tunes and new compositions created for the parade.
While Trooping the Colour celebrates the Sovereign’s official birthday on June 15, King Charles, born on November 14, 1948, partakes in the tradition of two birthdays a year, a practice observed by many monarchs.
This dual celebration is not steeped in elaborate royal customs but rather a practical response to unpredictable weather conditions.
As preparations for Trooping the Colour 2024 unfold, the anticipation builds for a majestic celebration befitting the King’s official birthday.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights into this revered royal tradition.