With the countdown to Trooping the Colour entering its final days, excited royal fans will be delighted to learn that they can get an early glimpse of the breathtaking military spectacle in London today (Saturday, June 7). The Colonel’s Review is the final rehearsal ahead of the King’s annual Birthday Parade, however, there will be one twist this year.
This year’s Trooping the Colour will see the Coldstream Guards troop their regiment’s flag – otherwise known as the Colour – in front of King Charles at Horse Guards Parade on June 14. The Coldstream Guards are part of the Household Division, which is made up of two regiments of the Household Cavalry (the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals) and five regiments of Foot Guards (the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards).
And, as the Colonel’s Review takes place near Buckingham Palace today, there is one reason why it’ll be different from before.
The Coldstream Guards are the only Foot Guards regiment without a Royal Colonel, meaning that no member of the Royal Family will be present for the final rehearsal.
Unlike other regiments, which have senior royals taking on these vital positions, Sir James Bucknall serves as the Colonel of the Coldstream Guards and will take the salute on Saturday.
The last time a member of the Royal Family was present for the Colonel’s Review was in 2023 when Prince William carried out the final inspection of the Welsh Guards as they prepared to take on the starring role in that year’s parade.
The Review took place last year but there was no royal presence as it was the turn of the Irish Guards who have the Princess of Wales as their Colonel.
As she had taken a step back from public life at the time while she focused on her recovery from cancer, the Princess issued a touching personal message to the regiment which was shared on social media.
It read: “I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.
“I appreciate everyone trooping the colour this year has been practising for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.
“Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. Please pass on my apologies to the whole regiment, I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.”
She then signed off the message with “Quis separabit”, meaning “Who shall separate us?”