One of the biggest events on the royal calendar is just days away, with the Royal Family set to celebrate the King's birthday on Saturday. Trooping the Colour, also known as the Sovereign's Birthday Parade, takes place in June every year to mark the monarch's birthday. The event will kick off in London at Horse Guards Parade on Saturday, with thousands of royal fans expected to flood the Mall to celebrate the event. It is the King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards turn to take the spotlight, trooping their colour in front of His Majesty. The parade is expected to start at 10:30am on Saturday. Following the procession, the Royal Family will take to the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force flypast. The celebration will likely be attended by many of the senior members of the Royal Family, and will be broadcast on the BBC.
Why is the King's birthday celebrated in June?
Even though King Charles was actually born in November, his birthday is marked in June, like many monarchs before him. This is due to centuries of tradition and the weather. The very first Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed during the reign of King Charles II, who was Monarch from 1660 to 1685. But it was King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910 and was born in November, that began the tradition of holding Trooping the Colour in June. When King Edward VII was planning his birthday celebrations, he decided that November - when his actual birthday is held - is not the optimal time of year for a large outdoor gathering. So instead, he moved Trooping of the Colour to May or June because there was less chance of it being cold and drizzly on the big day. The tradition of holding the celebration in June has continued ever since.
What to expect on the day
The parade will be a spectacular display of military precision and pageantry. The King will inspect the troops, and the colour will be trooped. The event is steeped in history and is a highlight of the royal calendar. Royal fans can line the Mall to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family as they process to and from the parade. The flypast by the Royal Air Force is always a thrilling moment, with aircraft ranging from historic Spitfires to modern Typhoons. The BBC will broadcast the event live, allowing millions to watch from home.
