King Charles is set to miss out on Royal Family tradition at major event in London on June 14. The monarch, 76, will step out next weekend alongside other senior members of the Royal Family to attend the annual Trooping the Colour.
The event, which takes place every June, has been held to mark the sovereign’s official birthday since the accession of King George IV in 1820, except during the world wars and a national strike in 1955. The event was held at Windsor Castle in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the event was also modified amid ongoing precautions and restrictions. The traditional Trooping the Colour parade has normally seen the monarch riding horseback. But the King will not ride a horse during this year’s celebrations and will instead ride in a carriage with Queen Camilla, 77, for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back, according to The Times.
The royal had been present in the saddle during many of the celebrations held throughout the reign of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He also rode in the parade as monarch in 2023.
However, as the King’s ongoing cancer treatment, he took a carriage for the proceedings in 2024, and, according to the newspaper, the same protocol will now be followed this year.
The late Queen, who died aged 96 in 2022, last rode during her birthday celebrations in 1986.
She opted to attend in a carriage after her beloved mare, Burmese, retired.
As well as the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are set to make an appearance next week.
Prince William, 42, could also be joined by Princess Kate, 43, and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.
Last year, Sophie and Edward were joined by their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 21. Their son 17-year-old James was, however, absent.