Trooping the Colour

Held to celebrate the official birthday of the British monarch, the Trooping the Colour is a historic ceremony that takes place each year on a Saturday in June.

First said to have occurred during the reign of Charles II, the parade became an official annual event upon George III’s accession to the throne in 1760. In June 2023, following his historic coronation, His Majesty King Charles III will experience his first Trooping the Colour parade.

Origins of the Ceremony

The Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition originating from the British army, where regimental flags and insignia worn by soldiers, known as ‘Colours’, were used as rallying points on the battlefield. Compared to today’s modern technology, commanders had no easy way of communicating with their troops during the heat of the battle. Known as ‘trooping’, officers would march between the ranks of formed-up soldiers with the regiment’s Colour raised high for all to see.

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The Modern Parade

Taking place for more than 260 years, Trooping the Colour maintains the United Kingdom’s reputation for impressive pageantry when it comes to celebrating the British Royal Family. The colourful spectacle marks the official birthday of the British monarch and, in keeping with tradition, King Charles III will partake in the ceremony during every year of his reign.

More than 1,400 soldiers take part in the parade, along with 200 horses and 400 musicians who, together, produce a truly remarkable spectacle. One of the five regiments of Foot Guards, which includes Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards, troop The King’s Colour, rotating on an annual basis. To direct the soldiers in unison, the Officer in Command of the Parade uses more than 100 words of command.

The monarch leaves Buckingham Palace and follows the processional route along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall. Observed by the cheering crowds who line the streets to view the historic parade, other members of the Royal Family also take part in the procession, either on horseback or in carriages. A royal salute greets the monarch at Horse Guards Parade before they inspect the troops. After the performance of a musical ‘troop’, the Regimental Colour is carried through the ranks before the Household Division marches past the monarch, who follows at the head of their Guards. They return to Buckingham Palace, where the monarch takes the salute again from outside the gates. The troops return to barracks, whilst the ceremony culminates in a fly-past by the Royal Air Force, which the monarch and other members of the Royal Family enjoy from the palace balcony; a 41-gun salute also marks the moment in nearby Green Park.

SHOP CORONATION COINS