BBC audiences watching this year's Trooping the Colour for King Charles III's official birthday in central London this morning (Saturday, June 13) were left divided by the live commentary.
Thousands gathered along The Mall to witness the magnificent annual ceremony, which concluded with a flypast above Buckingham Palace, as Royal Family members appeared on the palace's iconic balcony - including Princess Catherine, who left viewers saying the same thing.
The spectacular display, featuring music, horse-drawn carriages, and military participants, was transmitted live on BBC One during the morning and early afternoon, with edited highlights scheduled for broadcast this evening.
The occasion seemed to proceed without incident and was presented by experienced commentator Clare Balding. Nevertheless, certain viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the BBC's presentation.
Viewer Complaints
One viewer posted: "BBC need less yakking over the music and less cutaways #TroopingtheColour."
Another complained: "BBC making the mistake of talking over all the music #TroopingtheColour."
A third commented: "Surely the BBC could do better than repeating the same facts over and over again."
Someone else remarked: "Jennie Bond sounding like it's a funeral lol talking about the glorious previous years."
Though one viewer suggested: "#troopingthecolour you can watch on BBC iPlayer without any commentary, so you just hear the music and commands."
Another viewer remarked: "Watching the red arrows and planes fly over Queen's Club Tennis and #TroopingtheColour in real time on both main BBC channels is just brilliant, can't beat live linear television."
Royal Procession and Protests
Throughout the procession, the royals appeared to ignore a group of anti-monarchy protesters who booed as the King and Queen Camilla passed by on The Mall. Campaigners were holding signs, with one reading "down with the crown", while one person was heard shouting "not my King".
However, the Royal Family were welcomed with loud cheers from crowds below when they waved from Buckingham Palace's balcony.
Complete coverage is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with highlights from the occasion scheduled to broadcast on the BBC this evening at 7pm. Trooping the Colour is available to view on BBC iPlayer.
