On Saturday, June 14, top members of the British Royal Family will gather for one of their most prestigious events, Trooping the Colour, a military spectacle celebrating the official birthday of the monarch.
This year’s event is set to embody King Charles III‘s vision for a more simplified monarchy, with a noticeably reduced number of participants expected to join the traditional Buckingham Palace balcony appearance.
The elaborate parade at Horse Guards Parade in London is expected to feature more than 1,600 soldiers marching, around 400 musicians, and over 200 horses.
After the parade, the Royal Family will return to Buckingham Palace, where a select few will gather on the balcony to observe the Red Arrows flypast and greet the crowds along The Mall.
Who will be present at Trooping the Colour 2025?
Taking center stage on the balcony will be King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, accompanied by their heir, Prince William, 42, and his spouse, Princess Catherine, 43. The couple’s three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 6 – are also anticipated to join, adding youthful enthusiasm to the event, particularly with Prince Louis often being the star of the show in previous years.
Prince Edward, 61, the youngest sibling of the King and the newly titled Duke of Edinburgh, will likely attend, alongside his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 60.
It is yet unclear if their two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, will accompany them. Last year, Louise was present, while James was absent due to school obligations.
Princess Anne, 74, known for her dedicated service, will stand proudly next to her brother, the King, with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, expected to be by her side.
Additional confirmed or likely attendees include Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, as well as Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, underscoring the King’s intent to spotlight only working royals during such prominent celebrations.
This approach marks a shift from the larger balcony gatherings seen during Queen Elizabeth II‘s reign, where extended family members filled the space, continuing King Charles’s vision for a more streamlined monarchy.
Unlike previous Trooping the Colour events, where non-working royals such as Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, and Peter Phillips frequently appeared on the balcony, they are now not expected to join officially.
One notable absence this year will be Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who distanced themselves from royal duties in 2020. Reports indicate that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be in attendance at Trooping the Colour and are not anticipated to appear at Buckingham Palace on Saturday.