The best photos of Trooping the Colour through the years
Every year, the the British monarch celebrates their birthday in early June. Although King Charles’s real birthday is in November, this celebration is known as Trooping the Colour and has been an annual ceremony for over 250 years. The tradition dates all the way back to King George II, who in 1748 combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration—even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of throwing their official birthday parade in the summertime. In honor of this year’s Trooping the Colour celebration, which takes place tomorrow, June 13, we’re taking a look back at all the ceremonies over the past two centuries.
2025
This year marked a return to normalcy for the British royals at Trooping the Colour.
2025
2024
While the parade is a celebration of the British monarch, all eyes were on another royal at the 2024 event: Kate Middleton, who made her public first appearance in nearly six months.
2024
It's been a difficult year, health-wise for the Windsors. Like his daughter-in-law, King Charles, appeared amid cancer treatment.
2024
As has become a new tradition, a slimmed down version of the monarchy appeared on the balcony to wave to the crowds below.
2023
King Charles's first Trooping the Colour went off without a hitch.
2023
This year marked the first time a reigning monarch has ridden in the Trooping the Colour procession since Queen Elizabeth did in 1986.
2023
The Cambridge kids looked adorable in the carriage ride with their mom and Queen Camilla.
2022
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis made their Trooping the Colour carriage debut in celebration of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.
2022
The Cambridge kids rode in a carriage with their mom, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and their step-grandmother, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
2022
An overhead shot of the carriage carrying Camilla, Kate, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
2022
Prince Charles, Prince William, and Princess Anne rode on horseback in the parade.
2021
The ceremony looked a bit different in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the usual format, it was held at Windsor Castle without any crowds.
2021
The Red Arrows took to the skies over Windsor Castle to mark the important day.
2021
The band marched through the George IV Gateway at Windsor Castle.
2020
The event in 2020, held at Windsor Castle, was socially distanced and scaled down.
2020
Queen Elizabeth watched the private parade from afar.
2019
Camilla and the Duchess of Cambridge chat in the carriage as they arrive ahead of the ceremony.
2019
Meghan and Harry arrive at the parade via carriage.
2018
The royal family during the flyover.
2018
Princess Charlotte took a tumble on the balcony, but her mom Kate was right there to comfort her.
2018
Savannah Phillips stole the show when she told her cousin George to be quiet.
2018
The Queen arriving at her birthday celebration!
2018
Some of the Queen's children arriving on horseback during the parade.
2018
Meghan Markle making her Trooping the Colour debut.
2017
The whole royal family up on the balcony.
2017
Two guards on horseback.
2017
The Cambridges, back when they were just a family of four.
2017
Princess Charlotte taking a sneak peek before the ceremonies begin.
2017
The Queen waving to the crowd.
2016
The whole scene.
2016
A flyover.
2016
Where's the Queen? She often wears vibrant colors so people can see her from quite far away.
2016
Queen Elizabeth opted for a lime green suit for her 90th birthday.
2016
A member of the Queen's Guard collapses during the ceremony.
2015
Prince George points out something interesting to his father.
2014
The parade getting started.
2014
Spitfires of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fly over the ceremony.
2013
The ceremony concluded with a 41-gun salute, fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
2012
The Queen looked radiant in yellow from atop the palace's balcony.
2009
More than 1,000 solders and horses take part in the festivities.
2009
The entire royal family waves at onlookers.
2008
The Royal Airforce flies over Buckingham Palace during the ceremony.
2008
A bird's eye view of the event with the London skyline in the background.
2008
Princes William and Harry, along with Queen Elizabeth, are all smiles on the balcony.
2006
Soldiers precisely in line.
2005
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
2004
A Royal Horse Guard is taken care of after being thrown from his horse. Even the band can't help but stare as they march by.
2003
Prince Harry and Prince William as young boys, riding in a carriage together in the procession.
1999
Queen Elizabeth rides in on a horse-drawn carriage.
1995
The monarch arrives in a yellow gingham dress and matching hat.
1991
A mounted drummer of the Household Division at the ceremony parade.
1990
Soldiers line up in perfect lines in the middle of a large crowd.
1990
Princess Diana riding in the procession.
1990
Prince Harry riding a horse after the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
1989
Prince William stretches his head out the window for a peek at the parade.
1987
The Queen Mother, Princess Diana, and Prince William riding in a horse-drawn carriage during the parade.
1985
Princess Diana holding Prince Harry.
1984
Prince Charles holds a young Prince William.
1982
Not all ceremonies were sunny and wonderful...
1975
A young Queen Elizabeth waves to spectators.
1974
Her Majesty gives the royal salute.
1972
The Queen arrives on horseback.
1970
A soldier passes out as the Queen rides by during the Trooping the Colour parade.
1957
Yet another Royal Guardsman, fainting.
1964
The Queen waves with her son, Prince Edward, in her arms.
1958
The ceremony in full swing with The Mall in the background.
1952
Months after ascending to the throne, Queen Elizabeth rides her horse Winston in the ceremony.
1951
Elizabeth with Prince Charles.
1947
Princess Elizabeth on horseback during the procession.
1931
Trooping the Colour rehearsal.
1913
Guards march past the saluting base.
1912
Even in the early 1900s, large crowds gathered to see the ceremony.
1875
An illustration of Queen Victoria's birthday celebration, called "Guards trooping the colours in St. James's Park on Her Majesty's birthday."
1805
An illustration of the 1805 Trooping the Colour ceremony.
