King Charles III celebrated his official birthday on June 14, 2025, with the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking a significant moment for the monarchy as the 76-year-old monarch continues his cancer treatment.
The elaborate military parade through central London featured more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians in a display of pageantry that concluded with the Royal Family gathering on the Buckingham Palace balcony for an RAF flypast.
The ceremony carried deeper significance this year as it served as both a celebration and a moment of mourning. At the King’s request, the event included a minute’s silence to honor the 241 victims of the Air India plane crash that occurred on Thursday in Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff, with only one known survivor.
Senior members of the Royal Family participating in the procession wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the aviation disaster victims. These included Prince William as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Anne as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and Prince Edward as Colonel of the Scots Guards, all of whom rode on horseback during the parade.
The King’s participation in the ceremony was viewed as a demonstration of resilience despite his ongoing health challenges. Since announcing his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, Charles has been receiving weekly outpatient treatment at the London Clinic. Palace sources indicated that the King insisted on a hands-on approach in planning this year’s event, with assistance from Prince William.
For the second consecutive year, King Charles traveled to Horse Guards Parade in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla rather than on horseback, a modification made due to his health condition. The monarch last rode personally during Trooping the Colour in 2023, marking the first time a British sovereign had ridden in the parade since Queen Elizabeth II in 1986. A senior royal aide said, “As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible.”
The ceremony featured the trooping of the King’s Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army, celebrating its 375th anniversary in 2025. The procession began at 10:30 a.m., traveling from Buckingham Palace along the Mall to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, made a notable appearance at the event, joining the King, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals after undergoing cancer treatment throughout much of 2024. She announced in January 2025 that she was in remission and has gradually resumed royal duties. The Princess of Wales rode in a horse-drawn carriage with her three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
Prince William previously described 2024 as a particularly challenging year for the family, stating in November that it had been brutal dealing with both his father’s and wife’s cancer diagnoses. The Prince of Wales appeared on horseback during the ceremony, wearing the red uniform of the Welsh Guards with a traditional bearskin cap.
The Buckingham Palace balcony appearance was streamlined compared to previous years, reflecting the King’s vision for a more compact royal family. Those present included King Charles and Queen Camilla in the center, flanked by the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, and other working royals.
The RAF flypast at 1 p.m. featured the Red Arrows aerobatic team, Chinook helicopters, and a Lancaster bomber. Notably, the Red Arrows used a blend of sustainable aviation fuel and normal jet fuel for their engines, along with renewable biofuel for their colorful smoke trails.
Prince Louis again captured public attention with his animated reactions during the balcony appearance, waving enthusiastically at the gathered crowds. The young prince has become a fan favorite at royal events for his expressive responses to the ceremonies.
The event faced some criticism regarding its cost, with the Ministry of Defence previously reporting expenses of approximately 60,000 pounds for the ceremony. Anti-monarchy protesters gathered during the event, chanting slogans and holding banners as part of their demonstration.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of central London to witness the ceremony, which has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years. The tradition of celebrating the monarch’s birthday in June rather than on their actual birth date aims to take advantage of better weather conditions for the outdoor ceremony.
Notably absent from the ceremony was Prince Harry, who has not been invited to participate in recent years following his departure from royal duties. The Duke of Sussex relocated to California with his wife Meghan Markle and their children after stepping back from their roles as working royals.