Trooping the Colour, a centuries-old tradition to mark the monarch's birthday, is set to take place on Saturday, June 15.
Thousands of revelers will watch as soldiers, horses and musicians march from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in London.
Despite his recent cancer diagnosis, King CharlesIII has confirmed his attendance but in a departure from tradition, he will appear in a carriage, on doctor's order, rather than on horseback.
PrincessKate unexpectedly announced on Friday evening that she will be attending.It will be her first public appearance since December 25, 2023.
With tickets sold out, members of the public wishing to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family are advised to find a spot along The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park.
But if you don't fancy facing the hordes of tourists and royal fans tomorrow, MailOnline reveals how to watch Trooping the Colour from the comfort of your own sofa.
King Charles saluting as he departs Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2023
Members of the royal family during Trooping The Colour in 2023
Kate unexpectedly announced on Friday evening that she will be attending Trooping the Colour
What time does Trooping the Colour start?
The ceremony begins at 10am as troops begin to gather outside.
It will officially begin at around 10:30am on Saturday morning when the Royal Family leaves Buckingham Palace.
Over 1,400 officers and soldiers will form the parade, together with 200 horses and over 400 musicians.
Prior to the fly-past a parade including several British military regiments will take place
In a departure from tradition, His Majesty will appear in a carriage, on doctor's order, rather than on horseback
The spectacular display of pageantry will make its way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade - a ceremonial parade ground in St James's Park.
As the magnificent clock at Horse Guards chimes 11am, you can expect King Charles III to arrive for the Royal Salute.
A 41-gun salute will also be fired from Green Park.
Soon after, the King will inspect the troops on parade before a performance by the military bands.
King Charles III will then take his AscotLandau carriage back to Buckingham Palace.
The King will then join other members of the Royal Family on the iconic balcony at Buckingham Palace.
From there, they will watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force which will take place at 1pm.
What TV channel is Trooping the Colour on?
The parade will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Live coverage begins on BBC One from 10:30am running all the way through to 1.10pm.
If you are too busy to watch the event live, you will be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
Glorious scenes down the Mall during Trooping the Colour in London on June 17, 2023
Trooping the Colour was held at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen on June 12, 2021
The Daily Mail will have a livestream of the ceremony available on our YouTube channelfrom 8am.
The livestream will be posted to our homepage and our reporters will work on a live blog throughout the morning to bring you all the latest updates and pictures.
What is the planned route for the Royal Family?
The route is as follows:
- The King will travel down The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Once the clock on Horse Guards strikes 11am the King will arrive to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division.
- Following the salute, The King will go up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops.
- The bands will then perform a musical 'troop' and the Regimental Colour will be escorted up and down the ranks of Guards. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery with their guns.
- The King will head back to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before taking the salute in front of the Palace railings as the troops march past on their way to their barracks.
- The ceremony is due to finish at 12.25pm.
- The King joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force at approximately 1pm.
Who will be in attendance at Trooping the Colour?
Naturally, King Charles will be joined by Queen Camilla on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Princess Anne and Prince William will join the procession on horseback.
It is believed that Prince Edward will make his debut Trooping the Colour on horseback andthat he has beendiscreetly rehearsing with his brother Prince Andrew in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
Notable omissions from the list of royals in attendance include Prince Andrew as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Buckingham Palace is yet to confirm who else will be in attendance.
PrincessKate unexpectedly announced on social media on Friday evening that she will be attending.It will be her first public appearance since December 25, 2023.
The Princess apologised for missing out on a key rehearsal last weekend, writing in a letter to the Irish Guards: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon.'
Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales watch the RAF fly-past in 2023
The Princess of Wales wrote a letter to the Irish Guards, saying: 'I hope I am able to represent you all very soon'
She is said to be 'considering' making an appearance 'is she is feeling well enough'.
Rebecca English, The Daily Mail's Royal Editor, previously suggested to this week's Palace Confidentialthat an appearance from the royal at this weekend's event in London, should not be completely ruled out amid 'persistent rumours' she might appear on the balcony.
'What's very interesting, is that when I've asked both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace about it this week, it's been not saying a word,' said the expert.
She continued: 'I mean look, if she is there. Fantastic. People will be delighted to see her. If she isn't, don't read anything into it because she never said she would be. I think it will be a bonus.'
How can I watch the fly-past?
The fly-past will begin on the coast of Suffolk at around 11am,the Express reports.
The slew of aircrafts will then head in land, passing through Ipswich at 12.30pm and then flying over Essex at 12.35pm.
If you call the commuting towns of Colchester of Chelmsford your home, then you may be in for a treat as the aircrafts will zoom by at about 12.40pm.
The Red Arrows fly over The Mall after the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023
A locator map showcasing the route of the fly-past, which boasts several RAF aircrafts
Finally the magnificent air display will arrive in London from a north eastern direction, jetting above Hainault before reaching the bustling city centre.
It is predicted the spectacular formation will grace the skies above Buckingham Palace at 1pm.
After celebrating the monarch in the skies, the fly-past will make their way out of London heading north west before ending their journey in Reading.
Origins of Trooping the Colour
Regimental flags of the British Army, historically described as ‘Colours', are consecrated and display insignia worn by the soldiers of respective units along with the unit’s Honorary Distinctions, or ‘Battle Honours’.
Historically, the primary role of a Regiment's Colour was to provide a rallying point on the battlefield.
This was vitally important because, without modern communications, it was all too easy for soldiers to become disoriented and separated from their unit during conflict.
For soldiers to recognise their Regiment's Colour, it was necessary to display them.
This was accomplished by young officers marching between the formed-up ranks of soldiers with the Colour held high; this is the origin of the term ‘trooping'.
What is today a great ceremonial spectacle began life as a vital wartime parade designed to aid unit recognition before a battle commenced.
The Foot Guards are amongst the oldest Regiments of the British Army and have served as the personal bodyguards of the Sovereign since the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 following the English Civil War.
The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed first during the reign of King Charles II (1660 – 1685).
In 1748, it was determined that this parade should mark the official birthday of the Sovereign, becoming an annual event when King George III ascended the throne in 1760.
Although His Majesty The King's actual birthday is 14th November, the spectacular ceremony of Trooping the Colour remains the single national celebration of the Sovereign's Official Birthday.
