For Queen Elizabeth II‘s Platinum Jubilee Trooping the Color, Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge brought out their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – for the official ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, marking their carriage debut. The three young royals made their balcony debuts in 2015, 2016, and 2019 (respectively) but this is the first time the trio has made the carriage ride to Horse Guards Parade.
This year’s Trooping the Color, which took place today June 2 (the 69th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation) featured over 1,200 officers and soldiers, with musicians from the Massed Bands of the Household Division and Corps of Drums, and hundreds of horses. This year it was the Irish Guards turn to Troop their Colors.
More on the Trooping ceremony from the MOD:
The Colour is a ceremonial flag richly embroidered with battle honours and emblems sacred to the Regiment. The act is a tradition that dates back millennia, allowing each soldier to familiarise themselves with the symbols and colours of their commander before they follow them into battle. The birthday parade represents, through the Guardsmen and Musicians on parade, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in essence, displaying the Army’s allegiance to the Monarch and the Nation in unified synchronicity, discipline and perfect pageantry.
Army UK
The entire parade route extended from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back again, with soldiers performing on The Mall, which was decked out in Union flags.
Once back at Buckingham Palace, there was a flypast to mark the occasion. You can see the turnout for the event with thousands of people in front of BP and down the Mall.
The Queen did not travel to Horse Guards Parade, instead opting to remain at Buckingham Palace where she took the salute from the balcony, accompanied by the Duke of Kent.
Prince Charles, William, and Princess Anne rode in the parade.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Cornwall rode in a carriage with Kate and the Cambridge kids.
Prince Edward and The Countess of Wessex rode in a carriage with their children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.
The Queen, along with the working royals, did a balcony appearance for the flypast. While in years past the Trooping balcony appearance has included the entire British Royal Family, this year it was limited to the working royals and their young children. Included here, that I haven’t mentioned elsewhere, are The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, and Sir Tim Laurence (Anne’s husband).
Below is a short video of the balcony appearance with the flypast and national anthem. Here is a link to watch entire parade.
To mention some fashion (because that’s always fun): The Queen wore the new custom Angela Kelly ensemble she wore in her Platinum Jubilee portrait. She wore the Brigade of Guards Badge which she wears every year for Trooping as it features the symbols for the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Scots Guards.
Camilla wore a Bruce Oldfield number with a Philip Treacy hat.
Embed from Getty ImagesKate repeated a white Alexander McQueen coatdress with a Philip Treacy hat. We never get great shots of the outfits at this event so here’s a decent one of Kate’s coat that also features The Queen and Louis’ interaction.
Embed from Getty ImagesKate first debuted this coat in June 2021 at events during the G7. Throwing in this photo because I’ll use any excuse to post photos of HM with a sword.
Embed from Getty ImagesKate’s jewelry was the biggest draw: she wore, for the first time in public, Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond double cluster earrings. Kate also wore her sapphire and diamond necklace she debuted at this year’s Commonwealth Service.
Embed from Getty ImagesThese are an iconic part of Diana’s sapphire collection which she wore numerous times throughout her life. It’s very exciting to see Kate bring out more of Diana’s jewelry.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince Louis also had on a special outfit: he wore the same sailor outfit that William wore to Trooping back in 1985.
Embed from Getty ImagesHere’s another view of the Wessex family on the balcony.
Embed from Getty ImagesI include this because Louise also wore a family repeat: opting for a hat Sophie wore to Trooping in 2009.
Embed from Getty ImagesOther members of the royal family traveled to Horse Guards Parade by bus but there aren’t any photos of them that I can use so I’ll close this out with some more photos of the balcony appearance. Mostly just Louis bringing the best energy. Top notch. No notes.
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