Trooping the Colour is one of the biggest events in the royal calendar. By Rebecca Russell, Deputy Royal Editor, 13:49, Thu, Jun 11, 2026. Updated: 13:49, Thu, Jun 11, 2026.
What Is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour marks the official birthday of the sovereign and has been held almost every year for over 260 years. It was first performed during King Charles II’s reign and later introduced as an annual event during the reign of King George II, with numerous adaptations over the years.
Military Spectacle
This ceremony is one of the largest military events of the year, featuring around 1,600 parading soldiers, 400 musicians, and more than 200 horses.
Royal Participation
Members of the Royal Family appear either on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal always ride on horseback in military uniform as the Royal Colonels, while other senior royals travel in carriages.
Ceremony Highlights
At the start, the King is greeted by a Royal Salute on Horse Guards Parade and a 41 Gun Salute fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from The Green Park. The King then inspects his troops.
Regiment Rotation
Each year, one regiment of the Foot Guards is selected to troop their Colour in front of the King. In 2026, it is the turn of the Grenadier Guards, whose Colonel is Queen Camilla. The five Foot Guards regiments are the Grenadier Guards, Welsh Guards, Irish Guards, Scots Guards, and Coldstream Guards, who march from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
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