There’s something as uncertain as the British Crown and it is none other than the British weather. And the monarchs seem to be very thoughtful of the same. So much so that they follow a tradition of shifting their pomp-filled occasions and festivals to a time when the English weather is at least a bit better than tolerable. It is no exaggeration as they celebrate a legit royal ceremony for the same cause. The age-old tradition, Trooping The Colour, was started by the party-mad King George II. This royal spectacle is the official celebration of the UK Sovereigns with all pomp and pageantry.

Following a regal private celebration at Buckingham, the UK Monarchs push their official birthdays to summers. And so did King Charles, the newest accession to the throne. He enjoyed his first birthday as the rightful Monarch way back on November 14, 2022. Nonetheless, he was not crowned as the new King until his coronation, in the month of May this year. Hence, as is the custom, the King will be celebrating the Trooping The Colour with much fanfare and magnificence. 

What happens in the Trooping The Colour Ceremony?

The tradition is the ostentation of a high-profile military parade in London. Every year, the annual tradition strategically returns to a Saturday morning at the Mall outside the grand old Buckingham. This is also one of the rare sights throughout the entire year where the Monarch makes an appearance riding on horseback. Following the customs, he will join the 1500 soldiers on the march, along with the 300 militaries assigned in his honor. 

The Regiments of the household division on the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards Parade will be in a royal display. Last time the kingdom witnessed such a regal sight was back in Queen Elizabeth’s Trooping The Colour in the year 1986. The celebrations have always been a grandeur but a reigning Monarch joining the parade will be a rare sight in a few hours. 

Who will be in attendance at the Trooping The Colour? 

As the next in line to the throne, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, has taken up some notable roles for celebration in honor of his King’s father. As the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, he will carry out the Colonel’s review, honoring the King with the Royal salute, humbled by the bearskin hats.

The Monarch’s spouse, Queen Camilla, will soon join the King to witness the guards troop their colors. Soon after, she will join the family at the famous balcony for the flypast of the Royal Air Force. Undoubtedly so, the King will also be accompanied by the other senior members of the family. These include the young Princes and the Princesses, along with the Princess of Wales and Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.  

However, the estranged royals, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, still have dark clouds casting a shadow of doubt on their appearance. Reports have it that the King has not invited the two in the first place. But why so? 

Why are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle not invited? 

This decision comes from the former Sovereign of the Monarchy. According to a statement by Buckingham last summer, the Queen, “decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Color balcony appearance… will be limited to Her Majesty and those members of the royal family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of the Queen”.  

Thus, for not being the working members of the royal family in alliance with the Sovereign, the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex have not been invited to this year’s Trooping The Colour as well. This time, however, there was no such comment. 

Are you looking forward to this royal biggie?