The annual Trooping the Colour is set to take place on Saturday, with members of the Royal Family and royal enthusiasts gathering on the Mall to celebrate King Charles' birthday. Following the Horse Guards Parade and during the RAF flypast, senior royals will assemble on the Buckingham Palace balcony, a backdrop for many iconic moments. From Prince William being reprimanded by the late Queen to Prince Louis upstaging everyone with his mischievous behavior, the balcony appearance is often the most anticipated part of the day for fans.
The 2019 Trooping the Colour
One particular instance dates back to the 2019 Trooping the Colour, which marked the last occasion Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the annual ceremony. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were accompanied on the balcony by numerous royals, including the late Queen Elizabeth, the then Prince Charles and Camilla, along with William, Kate, and their three children. As all the royals waved at supporters lining the Mall and watched the RAF flypast, sharp-eyed observers believed they caught an uncomfortable moment between Harry and Meghan, creating a strained atmosphere.
Footage Analysis
Footage circulated on X showed Harry glancing inside the room adjacent to the balcony before uttering a few words to someone beyond the camera's view. Meghan turns her head slightly and mouths something, then faces her husband. The couple exchange a few words, and Meghan faces forward. She then turns back once more towards Harry, and at this moment, it appears he tells her to "turn around," which she promptly does. Harry maintains his serious expression while Meghan awkwardly attempts to compose herself, prompting fans to wonder if they exchanged heated words.
The Explanation
Yet when the video is played with full audio, the context becomes apparent. With the sound enabled, the footage demonstrates the moment took place just a second or so before the National Anthem begins playing, suggesting Harry was likely alerting Meghan that the music was about to commence so she wouldn't be caught facing the wrong direction. Rather than standing uncomfortably after a tense conversation, they are simply listening to the opening part of "God Save the Queen."
Harry and Meghan's Royal Departure
While the majority of senior working royals are anticipated on the Palace balcony on Saturday for King Charles' birthday celebrations, it is unsurprising that Harry and Meghan will not attend. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended just two Trooping the Colour ceremonies before stepping back from royal duties in 2020, appearing in 2018 and 2019. At the time of the 2018 procession, Meghan and Harry had recently married at Windsor Castle. When they emerged for the 2019 Trooping, their firstborn Archie had arrived only the month prior.
About Trooping the Colour
The yearly tradition of Trooping the Colour has served as the official birthday celebration of the reigning monarch for over 260 years. The ceremony features hundreds of horses and servicemen executing intricate battlefield drill movements to military music. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians unite for the spectacular showcase. Throughout the parade, members of the Royal Family travel from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to Horse Guards Parade in a grand procession, either mounted on horseback or riding in carriages. At Horse Guards, they observe the military spectacle before rejoining the procession returning to Buckingham Palace. Following the parade, the royals assemble on the Palace balcony for a march-past and the RAF fly-past, featuring the Red Arrows, which brings the day's festivities to a close.
