Every year, Trooping the Colour marks the official birthday of the British monarch, a centuries-old tradition full of military pageantry, royal ceremony and celebration. One of the most iconic moments of the day is the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The scene, complete with Red Arrows flypast and crowds lined up on The Mall, is world-famous. But what happens when the fanfare fades and the Royal Family steps back inside the palace? After the public balcony appearance, the Royal Family typically retreats into the Centre Room of Buckingham Palace. A former royal butler has explained exactly what happens.
Speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, Grant Harrod said: “After that, they return to the same room and get their drinks back. They then go off to lunch. I don’t know exactly which room they use for lunch, but there’s a good chance it’s the Chinese Drawing Room, which is commonly used as a dining room for the family. They’ll have a private lunch, finishing up with coffee and tea.”
The former royal butler added: “Depending on other engagements and commitments, some of the royals might have to leave straight after lunch, but others may stay a bit longer. They can go into one of the sitting rooms or drawing rooms on the private side of the Palace to have conversations.”
Mr Harrold said: “Knowing the King, he’s always got things going on, so once lunch is done you’ll normally see the cars leaving as he heads back to Highgrove or Clarence House – likely Highgrove.”
Once inside, there is often a sense of family reunion, perhaps an opportunity to reconnect, particularly for those who may not frequently appear together in public. It’s also a chance for more experienced royals to offer guidance to the younger generation about the responsibilities of public life.
King Charles celebrated his official birthday today with an eco-friendly flypast by the Red Arrows and remembered all those killed in the Air India plane disaster. Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include a minute’s silence, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms.
The colour, or regimental flag, being trooped this year was the King’s Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign’s bodyguard, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary.
When the Royal Family gathered later on Buckingham Palace’s balcony they acknowledged the crowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows’ finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel.
The world-famous acrobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first.