It was a glorious summer’s day as the royal family gathered in London for Trooping the Colour 2026. One of the highlights of the social season for the House of Windsor, the celebration of King Charles’ ‘official birthday’ saw the likes of the Princess of Wales, Prince William, and the Duchess of Edinburgh embrace all the pomp and ceremony that the monarch and his military have to offer.

In an era of a stripped-down monarchy, Trooping the Colour is no longer the opportunity to see the wider royal family that it once was, now only frequented by working members of the Firm.

For royal watchers, however, it is still an opportunity to see those core pillars of support for the King at their elegant best.

Trooping the Colour or ‘The King’s Birthday Parade’ is a military ceremony which dates back
to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were
carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks to teach soldiers to recognise them.

The honour of Trooping their Colour rotates through different regiments each year, and in 2026 it lies with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. It is the first time that the Regiment will have ‘Trooped the Colour’ before of a King in 90 years.

The Grenadier Guards is the most senior infantry regiment in the British Army and has a unique relationship with the Sovereign. In 1656, King Charles II gave orders that the command (or Captaincy) of the first Company of the first regiment of Foot Guards be reserved for Himself and would be called The King’s Own Company. That command has been held by the Sovereign in every reign since.

Once again, there was plenty of pomp and ceremony as the Royal Family travelled down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horseguards Parade, where King Charles took the sovereign’s salute. The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Tim Laurence travelled in the first carriage, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. King Charles III and Queen Camilla also processed by carriage, while the Princess of Wales was accompanied by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward all rode out on horseback.