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When you’re a King, the perks include a birthday celebration fit for one, and that is exactly what King Charles will receive at Trooping the Colour in 2026.
The annual parade will once again bring the senior royals together in London this June, just one week after the family reunited for the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling.
As always, Trooping remains one of the most anticipated events on the calendar as a rare moment where the full pomp and pageantry of royal life is put on display.
But as you watch the parade or scroll through the photos afterwards, have you ever wondered what it’s really all about?
Here’s everything you need to know about Trooping the Colour 2026…
What is the purpose of Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is a military parade that dates back to the reign of King Charles II from 1660 to 1685.
It first became tied to the monarch’s birthday in 1748, while King George II was on the throne.
It is held every June in London to officially mark the monarch’s birthday, even though King Charles was born on November 14.
This is because a winter parade would simply be too cold and not as an attractive option for visiting tourists.
The ceremony’s origins lie on the battlefield, when regimental flags — known as “colours” — served as rallying points for soldiers.
“The colours were the flag or identity badge of their regiments,” Dr Cindy McCreery, Associate Professor of History at the University of Sydney, who specialises in monarchy and colonialism, tells WHO.
“It was really important back in the time when there was a lot of cannon fire and smoke on the battlefield.”
Today, Trooping the Colour is an enormous military procession showcasing the strength and precision of the British Armed Forces as they honour their Commander‑in‑Chief.
“The horses are massive, the armour glints in the sun and the deep red of the tunics is breathtaking,” Calley Mize, a historian who runs the All the Royal Ladies Instagram account, tells WHO.
During the rehearsal on May 30, around 1,000 soldiers and 200 horses in full ceremonial dress gave a hint of what is to come.
In 2026, the King’s Company Grenadier Guards will present their colours to the King for inspection in a symbolic demonstration that they are battle‑ready.
But the day isn’t just about Charles, with it also evoking memories of sovereigns past.
“For many, it is a reminder of the previous Queen, because Elizabeth II was so strongly associated with the parade,” explains Cindy.
“She rode on horseback 36 times and later joined in a carriage, so for many they are celebrating the vitality of the monarchy.”
How is Trooping the Colour different under King Charles?
Since the start of his reign, King Charles has introduced subtle but meaningful changes to the event.
“One of the most obvious changes is that, other than his first year as monarch in 2023, the King has chosen to ride with Queen Camilla in a carriage,” Cindy explains.
“He came to the throne at a much older age than his mother and is managing a cancer diagnosis. I don’t imagine we will see him return to horseback.”
Prince William continues to join the parade on horseback before joining his family later on the balcony.
Another big change is the slimmed‑down balcony in line with the monarchy having fewer working members on the payroll.
Gone are the days when extended family members would appear alongside the monarch at Buckingham Palace as they watched the RAF flypast.
Which royals will be at Trooping the Colour in 2026?
Today, the balcony is reserved for working royals only, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
There is also a new generational focus as the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — begin to join their family in the carriage procession and on the balcony.
“That is an absolute insistence about the vertical line of succession,” Cindy says. “These are the people who matter — the current monarch, the heir, and the future monarchs. It’s a very powerful message.”
The inclusion of the Wales children is seen as the highlight for many.
“My favourite part is getting to see Catherine and the kids and seeing how they have grown and changed each year,” Calley explains.
Minor royals still attend the festivities inside Buckingham Palace and watch the flypast from a private internal courtyard balcony. They all meet inside for a reception afterward.
A modern Trooping for a global audience
Today, Trooping attracts visitors from around the world, providing a major boost for British tourism and serving as a reminder of the monarchy’s cultural pull
Among those who keep coming back is Susannah Giryluk, who has crossed the Atlantic in 2015, 2017 and 2022 to witness the spectacle firsthand.
“It’s one of the few events every year that you’re guaranteed to see your favourite royals,” she tells WHO.
The Princess of Wales’ emotional return to the event in 2024, her first appearance after announcing her cancer diagnosis, proved just how significant the event remains.
For me, personally, the highlight is seeing what Princess Catherine will wear, and I can always recall the year of the parade from her outfit.
While Kate has adopted a succession of pantsuits as her working royal uniform, Trooping remains the occasion where she is guaranteed to pull out all the stops on the fashion front.
German royal watcher Luisa Garcia, who runs the Royal Women of Europe Instagram account, agrees.
“I keep trying to guess in advance what colour Kate would turn up in,” she tells WHO. “She always looks so elegant. I’m absolutely in love with her hats and fascinators. But if I have to choose a favourite look, it’s probably the pink one from 2017.”
After attending in person from Germany last year, she further describes the day as unforgettable.
“I was over the moon when Catherine and the children passed by just a few metres away in the open Landau,” she explains.
“The entire parade and the flypast are incredibly impressive. It’s a memory I will treasure for a lifetime.”
See the best pictures from Trooping the Colour 2026
The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she arrived at Horse Guards Parade in a carriage alongside Prince Louis.
The Duchess of Edinburgh gave the crowd a wave as she arrived alongside Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince William and Prince Edward joined the procession on horseback.
The Princess of Wales wore a light blue Catherine Walker coat dress with white trim, a look she has long favoured. She also wore a matching Philip Treacy hat.
The working royals gathered on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF flypast.
