This Saturday, June 15, comes one of the most important events on the calendar of the British royal family. It is about from Trooping the Color. Every year, the Windsors attend this event in which they leave images to remember. Their traditional greeting on the balcony of Buckingham Palace before the hundreds of Britons who cheer them, their participation in the parade, the endearing moments that the youngest members of the family star in, the commented looks with which the royals show off their best version… This is an event that already gives a lot, and that this year will give more to talk about if possible. The reason, which comes after the most turbulent months from the reign of Charles III. Next, we are going to review what this event consists of and what are the issues by which it will be marked this year.
What is Trooping the Color?
The first thing we are going to do is remember What does the traditional Trooping the Color consist of?. This is a parade carried out by the regiments of the British Army and other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was King George II who made it linked to his birthday, and since then it has been closely related to the monarchs’ anniversary. This does not mean that the parade takes place on the birthday of the king or queen at the time. It was decided that it would be celebrated in June because it is more likely that the weather will be good and that the streets will look perfectly decorated as the occasion deserves. But it’s always a day to celebrate the birthday of the King, in this case Carlos IIIwhose real anniversary is November 14.
The announcement that left Trooping the Color 2024 in the air
If something is going to mark this Trooping the Color, it is that it is celebrated after several both family and official setbacks. One of them, the call for elections which arrived a few weeks ago. This made members of the British royal family decide to suspend many official events until the votes take place. However, they do hold some specific events, such as the presentation of the new colors of the Guard at Windsor Castle. At that time there was some doubt about the celebration of this parade, but they quickly made it clear that this party was going to take place.
When and where is Trooping the Color held?
As we mentioned, this year Trooping the Color takes place on Saturday, June 15. The event will take place in London. It all starts with a military parade that goes from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace. A journey that the monarch usually takes on horseback, but the delicate health of Charles III has prevented this from happening and he will carry it out in a carriage accompanied by his wife, Camila Parker.
After the long-awaited parade, the place where all eyes go is the main balcony of the palace. All the members of the British royal family appear there to greet the curious who have come there to witness this very familiar day. A place from which they enjoy of the aerial parade carried out by the Royal Air Forceone of the moments most acclaimed by all those present and where it is common to see the little ones delight us with their occurrences.
Who participates in Trooping the Color?
More than 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians, 200 horses, there are carriages participate in the traditional parade… All this makes the event most ostentatious and spectacular. But if something generates curiosity this year, it is which membersof the British royal family will be and who will be the big absentees.
It is worth remembering that the last few months have been marked for them for King Charles’ cancer and Kate Middleton’s, who continues undergoing preventive chemotherapy treatment. While the monarch decided to resume her agenda a few weeks ago, the Princess of Wales remains on medical leave and focused on her recovery outside the media spotlight. Furthermore, since she decided to retire from public life last January, her children George, Charlotte and Louis have also been further away from institutional events than usual. In the case of this part of the family, the burden has been on Prince William, who has had to continue with his official role despite being in one of the most delicate moments of his life. With this situation, the question is which members of the Windsor family will accompany Charles and Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
King Charles, before his most emotional Trooping the Color
The one who will be there will be King Carlos III. In this event that honors his figure, he will become the main protagonist. In fact, he would love to participate in the parade on horseback, even though everything indicates that he will do it in a carriage. Be that as it may, what is confirmed is that he will preside over the event and he will do so accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla. Together they will appear on the balcony to greet and, probably, to thank them for the support received during all these such delicate months. Who will be with them? The answer is quite a mystery.
From Buckingham Palace, less than a week before the event, they have not yet announced who They will look out on the balcony with Kings Carlos and Camilla. It is worth remembering that unlike what Isabel II did, who invited the entire family to appear, King Charles prefers that only active members of the Crown do so. Taking this into account, everything indicates that Prince William will appear on the balcony, and perhaps Princess Anne will also accompany him, as well as Edward and Sophie, Dukes of Edinburgh. What is unknown is whether his children: Princes George, Charlotte and Louis will do so.
Taking into account the critical situation they are facing in 2024, Carlos III could make an exception and invite everyone to give the image of family unity.
The mystery of the attendees is contrasted with the two notable absences. On the one hand, that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which in 2019 was the last time he experienced Trooping de colour. And that of Kate Middleton, the most notable absence of the day.
Kate Middleton, the great absentee from Trooping the Color 2024
With the permission of Charles III, this edition will inevitably be marked by the absence of Kate Middleton. Six months ago, the Princess of Wales retired from public life due to her abdominal surgery, a surgery that led to cancer from which she is currently recovering.
Although there was initially talk that an act like Color Trooping would be perfect for her public reappearance, Kate’s desire to stay away from the media spotlight while is in full treatment is inevitably delaying his return to royal commitments.
The truth is that Kate Middleton’s role in this military parade goes beyond her role as Princess of Wales. As Colonel of the Irish Guardsthe regiment that will tour the streets of London next Saturday, Guillermo’s wife felt obliged to break her silence in the form of a letter where she regretted not being able to be present on this day so important to everyone.
“I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment before the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Color,” began the signed text in his own handwriting. “Being your colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry not to be able to receive your greeting. at this year’s Colonel’s Review (…) Please convey my apologies to the entire Regiment”, he says goodbye but not before making public his desire to return “soon”. In his absence, it will be Lieutenant General James Bucknall , who will take his place.
Kate Middleton’s most iconic looks at Trooping de Color
Kate Middleton has become an icon of style and sophistication since she landed in the British Royal House more than 25 years ago as Prince William’s girlfriend. Color Trooping has also become an improvised parade of outfits with which year after year she becomes the best dressed.
More beautiful than ever, it is impossible to forget the pastel yellow outfit that she debuted in 2019, when she emerged victorious in her style duel with Meghan Markle. The white two-piece with which she captivated us in 2022 or a year ago, when she monopolized all the spotlights with an impressive style in a vibrant green decorated with jewel buttons that she combined with a large matching raffia hat and sapphire earrings.
Her absence at Trooping Color is just the beginning of a long list of events in which Kate occupies a presidential place. She will be at Wimbledon or also at the traditional Ascot races scheduled for a few weeks.
Although Kensington Palace remains silent, there are several British media outlets that have already set a date for Kate Middleton’s public reappearance. According to them, it will be in the fall when the Princess of Wales will resume her royal duties, a step forward that would bring with it the best news, her complete recovery from the cancer she was diagnosed with last February.
