King Charles Announces First Birthday Parade Details, New Colonelcy Appointments
King Charles III will celebrate his first official birthday as the British Monarch after his coronation.
Citing an announcement from Buckingham Palace, Hello! Magazine said the King’s first birthday parade, also known as the Trooping the Colour, will occur on June 17 in London. It also noted that the royal event will fall six weeks after his coronation, alongside Queen Consort Camilla, earlier in May 2023.
The outlet stated that Trooping the Colour has marked the monarch’s official birthday for over 260 years.
Also, it is said that the large-scale event will see more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians create a stunning display of military precision, horsemanship, and fanfare, marking King Charles III's official birthday.
People, in its report covering the announcement from Buckingham Palace, shared that the tradition of having a birthday parade to mark the monarch’s official birthday is believed to have started under King George II’s reign in the early 18th century.
But while it dates back more than two centuries, the magazine said that the royal event, which has since been known as Trooping the Colour, became a stand-out celebration under Queen Elizabeth II’s seven-decade reign.
Elsewhere in its report, published Wednesday, the outlet recalled that the late Queen’s actual birthday was in April. But, Trooping the Colour under her reign falls in the month of June, making it her official birthday.
It consequently noted that King Charles III is seemingly keeping the traditions, as his actual birthday is in November, and is planning to keep the public festivities around the same time as his mother.
Palace’s latest announcement also details the new colonelcy appointments within the Foot Guards. As noted, three members of the British Royal Family have been appointed Colonels, and one of them is Kate Middleton, according to a separate report from People.
The magazine said King Charles III named the Princess of Wales as the new honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards, adding that the role is fitting for her as she has been honoring the regiment most St. Patrick’s Day holidays since becoming an official member of the family.
Prince William, meanwhile, is taking on a new role, as well, after holding on to the post that now belongs to his wife. As stated, he is now the honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards, with the magazine adding that it fits with his new title as the Prince of Wales.
As for the third royal to have been appointed as a colonel within the Foot Guards, the honor is said to have gone to Queen Consort Camilla. It is noted that she is now the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, which Prince Andrew previously held.