The ‘Trooping the Colour’ ceremony, a birthday parade for the British monarch, kicked off in London on Saturday, with the participation for the first time of King Charles III, who will review a military formation on horseback.
More than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses are mobilized for the occasion, while a large Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast should take place around 1 p.m. local time, to compensate for the one that was canceled during the coronation ceremony in May, due to weather conditions.
The tradition of this parade dates back to the reign of George II in 1748 who, although born on October 30, wished to take advantage of good weather to celebrate his birthday. Similarly, Charles III will be 75 on November 14, but the British sovereign’s birthday is celebrated twice, privately on D-Day and publicly in June.
For this year’s ceremony, the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards is honoured. After inspecting the troops, Charles III, who as Head of State is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will lead the procession on the way back to Buckingham Palace.
Although televised, this event always attracts a large crowd gathered around the Mall, avenue connecting Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. A huge royal standard is already flying above the sovereign’s official residence and the balcony, where Charles III will stand in the company of Queen Camilla and working members of the royal family to follow the RAF parade, is dressed in red and gold.