The annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking the official birthday of King Charles III, is set to take place this Saturday, June 13, 2026. The event will feature a spectacular military parade and a flypast over central London.
Ceremony Details
The King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards will troop their Colour in the presence of His Majesty. Over 1,350 soldiers from the Household Division and King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will participate, accompanied by more than 300 musicians from the Massed Bands. King Charles III's actual birthday is November 14, but the official celebration is held in June.
Historical Background
Trooping the Colour dates back to the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685). In 1748, it was designated as the Sovereign's official birthday parade, becoming an annual event under George III in 1760. The regiments of Foot Guards take turns trooping their Colour.
Flypast Route and Timings
The flypast will involve aircraft taking off from East Anglia from 11:00 AM. They will head over the North Sea towards Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, and Southwold, then fly over Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, and London. The iconic planes are expected to overfly Buckingham Palace at 1:00 PM, passing landmarks such as The Mall and St. James's Park.
Best Viewing Spots
- Buckingham Palace Gates: The top spot for the flypast and balcony appearance at 1:00 PM. Arrive by 8:30 AM.
- The Mall: Ideal for seeing the return procession, but gets extremely busy.
- St. James's Park or Horse Guards Area: Best for a military parade focus; arrive by 8:30 AM.
Aircraft Involved
While the official list is pending, a rehearsal on June 2 included a Chinook, Phenom, A400M Atlas, C-17 Globemaster, Voyager, Typhoon, Poseidon, two additional Typhoons, and two F-35B Lightnings. The Red Arrows are also expected to participate.
How to Watch
The event will be broadcast live on BBC One. Public stands on Horse Guards Parade are sold out. For updates on London events, sign up for the Going Out Out newsletter.
