What is the Trooping the Colour parade?published at 12:02 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesAs the ceremony continues, let’s have a look at what this military parade of more than 260 years is all about.
Although King Charles’ birthday is 14 November, this event has long been used to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign – in an effort to hold the event in better weather.
It’s performed each June by more than 1,350 soldiers and 300 musicians, and the military parade includes an inspection by the King, music, pageantry, a gun salute, and an RAF flypast over central London.
During the event, a regiment flag is “trooped” through the ranks of soldiers, with this being rotated among the five regiments of Foot Guards.
“Colours” is the name given to the different flags representing different regiments of the British Army and was used so soldiers could easily spot their unit when on the battlefield.
The colours of the Coldstream Guards are being presented this year.
