The annual Trooping the Colour ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, marking the official public celebration of King Charles III’s birthday. As one of the most iconic events in the British royal calendar, Trooping the Colour features over 1,600 military personnel, 200 horses, and 400 musicians in a grand parade through central London, ending with a Royal Family balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace.
This article provides an overview of what to expect at the 2025 event, outlines who is officially scheduled to attend, and discusses the context surrounding Prince Harry’s current relationship with the monarchy, based solely on confirmed reports and official statements.
What Is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is a British tradition that dates back more than 260 years. It is held annually in June to mark the sovereign’s official birthday, separate from their actual birth date. King Charles III was born on November 14, but like previous monarchs, he celebrates his formal birthday in the summer for ceremonial and weather-related reasons.
Organized by the Household Division, the event is a major public occasion that draws thousands of spectators along The Mall, as well as a televised audience across the globe. The British Army’s regiments take part in the military parade, with music, pageantry, and flyovers by the Royal Air Force (RAF), including a display by the Red Arrows.
Source: Royal.uk – Trooping the Colour
King Charles III and Senior Royals Confirmed to Attend
According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and several senior royals are confirmed to participate in this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Although the King traditionally rides on horseback, as Queen Elizabeth II often did during her reign, this year’s event will again see him ride in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla, continuing a change initiated in 2023 due to health considerations.
Other senior royals expected to appear include:
- Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (aged 74), who will be on horseback
- Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (aged 61)
- Prince William, Prince of Wales (aged 42), also riding on horseback
- Catherine, Princess of Wales (aged 43), if attending, will ride in a carriage
- The couple’s three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis
The balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace, a key highlight of the day, will follow the parade and feature working members of the Royal Family standing beside the King and Queen as the RAF flies overhead.
Source: BBC News – Royal Events 2025
Prince Harry’s Status and Participation
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is not currently listed among the official attendees for Trooping the Colour 2025. Since stepping back from his senior royal duties in January 2020, and moving to Montecito, California, with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, he has not participated in the event in an official capacity.
As of June 2025, there has been no public confirmation from Buckingham Palace or Prince Harry’s representatives regarding any planned appearance at the ceremony. In previous years, Prince Harry and Meghan have made limited visits to the UK for special occasions, including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022, but their participation in ceremonial royal events has remained minimal since their transition to private life.
Whether or not Prince Harry should attend Trooping the Colour is a matter of public debate, but ultimately such decisions are governed by protocol and are not typically subject to public vote or commentary by officials.
Sources:
- BBC News – Prince Harry and Royal Events
- Royal.uk – Official Statements
Royal Protocol: Who Attends the Balcony Appearance?
Under current royal protocol, Trooping the Colour balcony appearances are generally limited to working members of the Royal Family, as defined by Buckingham Palace. This decision was formalized during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and has continued under King Charles III’s reign.
Working royals include individuals who carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle no longer fall under this category, and therefore their absence from the balcony is consistent with royal protocol, not a result of personal disputes or exclusion.
Source: Royal Household Protocol Updates
What Is the Role of Trooping the Colour in the Monarchy?
Trooping the Colour serves both as a military tradition and a symbol of continuity and national unity. It is a moment for the public to see the Royal Family together in a ceremonial context, reinforcing the monarchy’s enduring role in British society.
The parade features regiments from the Household Division, such as the Coldstream Guards, Irish Guards, and Blues and Royals, performing synchronized drills and salutes. The monarch inspects the troops and receives formal tributes from the armed forces. The event culminates in the Royal Air Force flypast, watched by the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
These elements reinforce the monarchy’s connection to the military and the British people.
Source: British Army – Household Division
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Trooping the Colour consistently draws widespread media coverage across the UK and internationally. Networks such as BBC, ITV, and Sky News broadcast the parade live, and images from the event are shared across print and digital platforms globally.
While discussions about family dynamics within the royal household sometimes appear in media commentary, official communications from Buckingham Palace have remained focused on ceremonial roles and duties, not personal matters. As such, any speculation about internal family relationships or invitations to events like Trooping the Colour should be treated with caution unless confirmed by official sources.
Sources:
- BBC Royal Events Coverage
- Sky News Royal Family
Conclusion: A Celebration of Tradition and Unity
As the United Kingdom prepares for Trooping the Colour 2025, the focus remains on celebrating King Charles III’s official birthday and showcasing the nation’s rich military and cultural heritage. Confirmed attendance from senior working royals, including Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Anne, and others, reflects the continued dedication of the monarchy to public service.
While Prince Harry is not expected to attend based on current information, his position within the royal structure remains formally defined by the 2020 agreement with Buckingham Palace. Any changes to his participation in future events would depend on decisions made by the Royal Household in accordance with protocol.
As with all royal events, official announcements remain the most accurate and reliable source of information for the public and media.
Verified Sources:
- Royal.uk – Official Events
- BBC News – Trooping the Colour Coverage
- British Army Household Division
- Sky News Royal Family
- UK Government – Royal Protocol
