For the first time since his accession to the throne, King Charles III. honored with the “Trooping the Color” birthday parade on Saturday. The procession of 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 members of military bands through central London began at 10 a.m. local time. Tens of thousands had gathered along the route to take a look at the spectacle and the royals attending.
The route leads from Buckingham Palace via The Mall and from there to Horse Guards Parade, where the King inspects his troops.
Last year, the parade kicked off the celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th jubilee and therefore took place on a Thursday as an exception. At that time, Charles represented his ailing mother, who died on September 8, 2022, as heir to the throne.
The tradition of always celebrating British monarchs’ birthdays in the summer because of the weather is said to have been introduced by King George II in 1748. Charles’ birthday is November 14 and he will be 75 this year.