Trooping the Colour is taking place in London today, with royal fans across the globe excited to see senior royals take part in the event. As well as being part of a procession to mark the official birthday of the monarch, with some royals on horseback and others in horse-drawn carriages, the Royal Family will also gather on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a Red Arrows flypast.
While the famous balcony appearance usually lasts just minutes, thousands line The Mall to catch a glimpse of the royals, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. They are usually accompanied by a handful of royal relatives on the balcony, including Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.
In the minutes before the famous balcony appearance, royal fans on The Mall scramble to grab a good spot, often resulting in a very hectic scene – a complete contrast to what the royals experience before stepping out in front of thousands.
Grant Harrold, former royal butler of King Charles – who served the monarch when he was The Prince of Wales between 2004 and 2011 – revealed that the family gather together in a reception room beforehand, where they get the chance to enjoy a drink.
Speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, Harrold said: “Before the Royal Family go out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony, they wait in a reception room directly behind the doors leading outside.
“I’ve been in that room – it’s very boring. There’s very little in it, just a couple of chairs and a table in the middle, lots of net curtains.
“There’s also a large chandelier, which you can see when the balcony doors open. No dining tables or desks – just a reception room.”
He continued: “While the Royal Family are waiting to go out onto the Buckingham Palace balcony, they are offered a drink in the room directly behind the balcony doors.
“Then they leave their drinks to go onto the balcony.”
Over the years, photographers have captured some sweet moments of the royals before their famous balcony appearances, including of the royal children peeking at crowds through the Buckingham Palace windows.
On one occasion in 2015, a young Prince George was spotted waving from the windows of the Palace while being held by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion at Trooping The Colour celebrations.
