It was always going to be a year of ‘firsts’ for the newly crowned King Charles III, and an early milestone came on June 17th and the traditional parade of Trooping the Colour for the Sovereign’s birthday. It has been the highlight of the Summer season for centuries and is steeped in echoes of the Nation’s history.
This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
Pomp and pageantry were on display during the military spectacle where the most prestigious regiments in the British Army honoured their Colonel in Chief by parading to mark his anniversary.
King Charles had deputised for Queen Elizabeth II at last year’s event, also known as the Birthday Parade, but now rode onto Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall as the nation’s head of state.
He was joined on horseback by the Royal Colonels – the Prince of Wales, Colonel, Welsh Guards; the Princess Royal, Gold Stick in Waiting and Colonel of The Blues and Royals; and the Duke of Edinburgh, riding for the first time in his role as Colonel of the 1st Battalion London Guards, formed last year.
Travelling in a carriage were the Queen and the Princess of Wales along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Royal party were in the midst of a sovereign’s mounted escort, formed by troops from the Household Cavalry’s Life Guards and Blues and Royals, in their shining breastplates and plumed helmets, and a ripple of cheers followed them when they travelled along The Mall.
This story is from the Issue 64 edition of Royal Britain Presents Royal Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 64 edition of Royal Britain Presents Royal Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Portrait of the King's Painter
Holbein at the Tudor Court at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, explored the career of the Hans Holbein the artist and the lives of those who commissioned portraits from him, bringing us face-to-face with some of the most famous people of 16th-century England...
Palace opens Balcony Rooms to the Public
The East Wing of Buckingham Palace is open to visitors for the first time this summer, and special guided tours of the Principal Floor are available to visitors. We preview some of the historic sights on offer...
ROYAL TRIVIA
The Royal Family have many odd and often outdated habits and traditions. Here are ten of them relating to our modern royals...
The People's Princess
Now open in London, the Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition is a walk-through photography exhibition that pairs a stunning, visual journey of her most recognisable and iconic photos with behind-the-scenes stories from her official photographers...
The Saxon King's
There have been 63 monarchs of England and Britain spread over a period of approximately 1200 years. In an ongoing series, we look at them in chronological order, starting with the Saxons...
Royal Treasures on Public Display
The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh have reopened this year at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse with exciting exhibitions of works of art from the Royal Collection, giving the general public access to one of the largest and most important art collections in the world...
ROYALS AT D-DAY COMMEMORATIONS
He said Catherine's grandmother had worked at Bletchley Park, the top-secret home of the World War Two code-breakers, and \"never spoke about anything until the very end\" of the war.
PRINCESS OF WALES RETURNS TO PUBLIC EVENTS AT TROOPING THE COLOUR
At the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15th, King Charles III’s official birthday, all eyes were on the Princess of Wales as she made her return to public duty in her first official appearance since she revealed her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
THE ROYALS AT CHRISTMAS
The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, the King’s country estate in Norfolk.
PRINCESS BEATRICE AT RAINBOW TRUST
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice joined hundreds of guests at the stunning St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge on December 7th for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity’s much-loved annual London Carol Concert.
