2023-06-17 07:28:17
The new king of England, Charles III, is entitled on Saturday June 17 to his very first « Trooping the Colour » (“The Salute to Colors”). The traditional military parade celebrates the birthday of the British sovereign in front of Buckingham Palace, in London.
Yet King Charles III was born in November. But like his mother before him, the sovereign now celebrates two birthdays, the real one, in private, and the official one, in June.
The date of the party, in June, has never corresponded to the true birthday of one of the many British sovereigns throughout history. In reality, it simply draws its source from a practical reflection of the first king to have set it up, King Charles II (1660-1685).
This one, born in May, wanted to celebrate his birthday at the gates of summer, to take advantage of good weather conditions in a country where the rain tends to play spoilsport. The king therefore shifted the festivities and took advantage of a military exercise, the presentation of the flags of the units (called « Colours ») to the soldiers, to celebrate this day. There “color parade”also called “ The King’s Birthday Parade »has now been held for more than two centuries.
Trooping the Color Ceremony
Traditionally, the parade route runs from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, across the Avenue from the Mall. There, King Charles III will inspect the troops, before leading the guards back in procession to Buckingham Palace. Once at the palace, the monarch will take the salute, and cannons are fired at Green Park and the Tower of London. Finally, he will join the royal family on the balcony of the palace to watch the Royal Air Force flypast at 1 p.m.
A large audience is heard on the grand avenue leading to the palace, British flags in hand, to admire the 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. The parade will be broadcast live on UK BBC radio the same day.
The Harry and Meghan Question
For several weeks, the « Trooping the Colour ” makes a lot of talk about him. Saturday June 10, three members of the royal guard fainted during a rehearsal of the ceremony, in full sun, supervised by prince William.
The question of invitations to the event is also controversial. According to royal expert Richard Eden who spoke in the Daily MailPrince Harry and Meghan Markle did not “not invited” at the party. It is ” the first time in Harry’s life” that he is not welcome at the monarch’s official birthday celebration, he adds. Harry and Meghan will therefore likely spend the day at their home in Montecito, California, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
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