Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour

For over 260 years, the Trooping the Colour has been a cornerstone of British ceremonial life—an enduring expression of monarchy, military pageantry, and national identity. This year’s Trooping of the Colour will be held this weekend,  on 14th June 2025, and marks the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1748 when King George II adopted the summer celebration to avoid the discomfort of a November birthday parade. 

The "colour" in question refers to the regimental flags that once functioned as rallying points during combat. Trooping these colours before the assembled troops ensured they would be recognised during the chaos of battle. The ceremony became more formalised during the reign of George III and has since grown in scope and symbolism, particularly under Queen Victoria and her successors.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the parade evolved into an annual fixture, with only wartime interruptions. Under Queen Elizabeth II, who attended every parade bar one from 1951 to 2019, the event became a model of royal continuity, even as the empire waned and the Commonwealth matured. Her participation on horseback until 1986 linked her visually to her military role as colonel-in-chief of the Household Division—a direct echo of monarchs who led troops in battle.

In 2023, Charles rode horseback for the first time as monarch during the ceremony, echoing his mother’s early reign and invoking imagery of royal leadership rooted in chivalric tradition. 

At its heart, Trooping the Colour is a military parade involving over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, all from the Household Division, which includes the:

• Five regiments of Foot Guards (Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, Welsh)
• Two regiments of Household Cavalry (Life Guards and Blues and Royals)

The parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside members of the Royal Family.

Once King Charles has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade he is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Colour of the Regiment is carried (or ‘Trooped’) through the ranks of Foot Guards. The Foot Guards then march past His Majesty in slow and quick time before The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry ride past at the walk and the trot. The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking a further salute at the Palace from Centre Gate and the troops return to barracks. 

Finally, His Majesty joins other Members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past performed by the Royal Air Force.

Further reading:

• 'Trooping the Colour', The Household Division, https://www.householddivision.org.uk/trooping-the-colour
• 'What is Trooping the Colour?', The Royal Family, https://www.royal.uk/what-is-trooping-the-colour