Britain's King Charles celebrated his inaugural official birthday parade as the sovereign on Saturday, taking part in the time-honored tradition of "Trooping the Colour." This annual ceremony,
dating back to 1760, commemorates the monarch's official birthday and includes military bands and an impressive air display.
The parade, which followed Charles's coronation on May 6, featured soldiers donning scarlet coats and bearskin fur hats, marching through central London to the accompaniment of military band music. In a revival of a past tradition, King Charles, aged 74, chose to inspect the soldiers on horseback, a practice his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had relinquished in 1986 when she turned 60.
Accompanied by a Royal Salute, King Charles commenced the inspection of soldiers in front of approximately 8,000 spectators, followed by his son, the Prince of Wales, his sister, Princess Anne, and his brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, who were also on horseback. Queen Camilla and Katherine, the Princess of Wales, followed in a carriage.
During the ceremony, the color, or regimental flag, belonging to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards was trooped. Afterward, King Charles and his family returned to Buckingham Palace, where they gathered on the renowned balcony to witness a fly-past of approximately 70 military aircraft and helicopters.
Fortunately, the weather conditions were clear, allowing the crowds along the route between the Mall and Horse Guard's Parade to enjoy a full air display, including Typhoon fighters and the Red Arrows. These jets were unable to participate in the coronation fly-past due to low clouds. The event also marked the final ceremonial flight of the C-130 Hercules transport plane, which is set to retire after almost 60 years of service.
King Charles ascended to the throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of 96 in September. "Trooping the Colour" serves as the official celebration of the British monarch's birthday and is typically held in June, although Charles's actual birthday falls on November 14. Photo by Ibagli, Wikimedia commons.