SUNDAYTALKING.COM - Kate Middleton Assumes New Role at Trooping the Colour

King Charles III marked his birthday Saturday with the annual Trooping the Colour event, at which he received the royal salute in one of the oldest military parades in the United Kingdom's history—and his fourth as monarch.

While the king's actual birth date is November 14, by marking his “official” birthday today, Charles is following a centuries old tradition, which dates to the reign of King Charles II and was used to mark the monarch’s birthday under the reign of George II in 1748. It became a yearly fixture when George III took the throne in 1760.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2026.

The king wore a military uniform reflecting his role as Colonel in Chief of the Grenadier Guards, and was joined by Queen Camilla, who also wore the Guards' red silk crepe uniform dress. Also present at today's event were Kate Middleton and Prince William, as well as their children, Prince George (age 12), Princess Charlotte (11), and eight-year-old Prince Louis, who rode with their mother in an open top carriage from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall while their father took part in the military parade.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince George of Wales travel by carriage during Trooping The Colour 2026 on June 13, 2026.

During the pageant, Princess Catherine, elegant in a pale blue and white Catherine Walker outfit, was seated on a dais alongside the King and Queen for the very first time in what royal watchers considered a show of unity that underlined her position in the monarchy as future queen.

Prince William, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, rode on horseback in the ceremony alongside his aunt Princess Anne, who is Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and Prince Edward, who is Colonel of the Scots Guards. The event was cheered on by thousands of spectators, who poured into Whitehall for the yearly celebration.

(left to right) The Prince of Wales riding Darby, the Duke of Edinburgh riding Sir John, and the Princess Royal riding Noble, horses presented to the royal family by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday June 13, 2026.

After the ceremony, the royals were escorted back to Buckingham Palace in the second carriage procession of the day, delighting the crowds gathered along the Mall in the spring sunshine.

The regimental flag being trooped this year is the King's Colour of the Grenadier Guards, which was presented by the king earlier this week during a Buckingham Palace ceremony. Today it was trooped by guardsmen of the King’s Company.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2026.

The eagerly anticipated balcony appearance and Fly Past is one of the highlights of the day. Today the balcony—used only for Trooping the Colour and Jubilees—was reserved for working members of the royal family. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign it was not uncommon for up to 44 royals to appear on the balcony. But in the final years of her reign, the number of royals invited to join the monarch was reduced, a tradition that King Charles has taken even further.

“The balcony moment is what we all look forward to. Other than Christmas it’s the one chance we get to check in and see the royal family all together,” says royal expert Charlotte Griffiths.

'During the late Queen’s reign it was a very busy balcony, but the King has slimmed down the monarchy, and the balcony appearance is reserved for working royals and I think most people think that is how it should be.

“Everyone looks forward to seeing the Wales children, especially little Louis who is growing up fast. This year will be the last Trooping before Prince George becomes a teenager next month. One day he will be king and marking his official birthday on the same balcony where we have watched him grow up over the years. Seeing the line of succession up on the balcony is a very important message to be sending out to the world.”