The Royal Family gathered for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration, but several prominent members were absent from the Buckingham Palace balcony during the RAF flypast.
Who Was on the Balcony?
King Charles and Queen Camilla took center stage, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also appeared, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Kent.
Notable Absences
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were missing from the balcony for the second consecutive year, as they are non-working royals. The sisters have recently been involved in a scandal regarding their rental of apartments in royal residences, as highlighted in a National Audit Office report.
Zara and Mike Tindall, along with James, Earl of Wessex, and Lady Louise Windsor, were also absent. Lady Louise last appeared on the balcony for Trooping the Colour in 2024.
Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle were unsurprisingly excluded. Andrew has not participated since 2019, the same year Harry and Meghan last attended before stepping back from royal duties.
Historical Context
In previous years, the late Queen Elizabeth often invited the entire Royal Family to the balcony. However, starting with the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, only working royals were included, a decision made "after careful consideration" by Buckingham Palace. An exception was made for Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Princess Anne's husband, who frequently accompanies her at official events.
