Trooping the Colour, also known as the ‘King’s Birthday Parade’, is a historical event held annually in Britain, which involves the parade of over a thousand soldiers — including a military unit of musicians or music band — to celebrate the official birthday of the reigning British monarch.
The members of the British royal family always stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour, to watch the Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast.
The next Trooping the Colour would possibly come up on the second Saturday of June 2026.
Why is the King’s birthday celebrated twice in a year?
According to reports, the British sovereign’s birthday is celebrated twice in a year: during the sovereign’s actual birthday and on the second Saturday of June — with Trooping the Colour — if the monarch’s actual birthday does not fall in the summer months of the year.
When is Trooping the Colour 2025?
This year’s Trooping the Colour was on Saturday, 14th June 2025 and had about 14 members of the royal family watch the RAF flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Trooping the Colour 2025 also had a parade of more than 1,350 soldiers.
Sources:
Coughlan, C & Cole, H (2025). King and Queen join royals on Buckingham Palace balcony for Red Arrows flypast. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk
Court, M (2025). Why does King Charles III have two birthdays to celebrate? The National. https://www.thenational.scot/news/25239586/