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Trooping the Colour 2024: date, start time, how to watch, tickets — all about King Charles’ birthday
Find out how the annual parade got its name
TROOPING the Colour is a ceremonial event performed at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall every year to celebrate the official birthday of the monarch.
Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles will participate in Trooping the Colour 2024, even as he continues his recovery from cancer.
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What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is an event that takes place every year, dating back to Charles II in the 17th century.
At the start of it, the monarch is greeted by a Royal salute and the National Anthem.
The parade then commences and concludes with a second Royal salute.
King Charles and other members of the Royal Family later gather on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
The King traditionally has two birthdays: Charles' actual birthday on November 14, as well as an official birthday marked every summer by the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
The celebration takes place in June — monarchs originally celebrated their official birthdays on the second Thursday in June, but the date was changed to the second Saturday in June in 1959.
The reason this odd tradition began is typically British — namely, the UK's temperamental weather.
It was started by George II back in 1748 because the weather was too bad to hold his Birthday Parade on the actual date in November.
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Why is it called Trooping the Colour?
For military personnel to recognise what their regiments' colours looked like, it was necessary for the colours trooped in front of the soldiers.
The purpose of this was so that they would be familiar with their unit in battle.
This was achieved by young officers marching in between ranks of troops formed up in lines with their colours held high.
The term 'Trooping the Colours' originated from this tradition.
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When is Trooping the Colour and what time does it start?
This year the parade takes place on June 15, 2024.
It will be done by over 1,350 soldiers from the Regiment of the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including over 300 musicians from the Massed Bands.
A further 250 troops from the Foot Guards with also be reviewed by His Majesty.
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Every year a different Regiment is paraded at Trooping the Colour.
Each Regiment has a Colonel at the helm, who is normally either a royal or a senior officer within the British Army.
King Charles is the Colonel of the Regiment for the Household Division.
The event kicks off at around 10 am, with the Royal Air Force fly-by at roughly 1 pm.
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How can I watch Trooping the Colour?
If you have successfully a managed to get a ticket, you can watch the parade from the specially constructed stands.
But if you missed out, you can always brave the crowds and look for a spot on the Mall or edge of St James' Park — but it is advisable to get there early.
The Trooping of the Colour will also be broadcast live across the BBC.
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Can I still get tickets for Trooping the Colour?
It is possible to apply for tickets and be entered into a ballot to purchase a seat for the event.
The lucky people who are successful will be seated in the stands for Trooping the Colour, with tickets costing £30.
Unfortunately, the ballot closed on March 24, 2024 — so it's too late for this year.
If you want to watch the parade, you'll have to find a spot on the Mall or in St James' Park — or alternatively catch it on TV.
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Is there a Trooping the Colour rehearsal?
The Colonel's Review, which takes place on on June 8 this year, is a dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour .
The Princess of Wales will not be returning to public duties for the Colonel's Review, it has been confirmed.
Princess Kate would usually take the salute at the ceremonial military event.
Kate also missed the Brigade Major's Review — another Trooping rehearsal, which was held on May 30.
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It involved almost a thousand soldiers and around 240 horses from the Household Division, and was staged in front of an audience of more than 1,000 people on Horse Guards Parade.
She was represented by Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of the Household Division, who designed this year's spectacle and acted as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess' absence.
The mum-of-three confirmed she had an unspecified form of cancer on March 22 in an emotional video message.
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What is the Trooping the Colour route?
Every year the route for Trooping the Colour is the same, seeing the King travel down the Mall from Buckingham Palace by carriage.
The monarch then rides back to the Palace and watches the military parade from the balcony with other members of the Royal Family.
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Troops march past Buckingham Palace, before continuing down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, and back to the Palace.
His Majesty and other royals will then be treated to a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.