Trooping the Colour Rehearsal Sees Royal Absence
London, UK – With the annual Trooping the Colour event less than a week away, a crucial final dress rehearsal took place on The Mall today. Over 1,400 soldiers participated in the parade, marching between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. This significant military spectacle involves the ceremonial parading of a regiment’s flag, with this year’s event highlighting the Grenadier Guards, whose Colonel is Queen Camilla.
However, Queen Camilla, 78, was not in attendance to take the Colonel’s salute. Her absence was due to a prior commitment attending the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling, alongside her planned appearance at the Epsom Derby. Major General James Bowderas, the Commanding Major General of the Household Division, stood in for the Queen, serving as the Inspecting Officer.
Tradition and Royal Succession
Queen Camilla assumed the role of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards in December 2022. Prior to this, the position was held by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Prince Philip’s retirement in 2017 until January 2022, when his military roles were rescinded.
Trooping the Colour, also known as The King’s Birthday Parade, commemorates the sovereign’s official birthday, which for King Charles III falls on November 14. The tradition dates back to the reign of King Charles II, becoming an annual fixture in 1760 following the accession of King George III. It has been observed almost every year since.
Foot Guards’ Final Preparations
Today’s rehearsal saw the five regiments of the Foot Guards – the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards – complete their final preparations. Dressed in their iconic red tunics and bearskin caps, the soldiers marched from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, a significant display ahead of next Saturday’s official celebration.
The Household Division, which includes these Foot Guards and two regiments of the Household Cavalry (the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals), is a cornerstone of the ceremony.
Royal Carriage in Parade
Significantly, the carriage designated for the King and Queen’s use during the actual Trooping the Colour parade was also featured in the rehearsal procession. King Charles made the decision to travel by carriage rather than on horseback one year into his reign. Previously, he would have ridden in the parade alongside other Royal Colonels, including the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Edinburgh.
It was also confirmed at the time of the Grenadier Guards’ colonelcy announcement that the Princess of Wales would become Colonel of the Irish Guards, and the Prince of Wales would assume his father’s former role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards.
