Trooping the Colour route map: Where are the best spots and timings to see King Charles' birthday parade around London?
This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III set to observe the event from a carriage.
Princess Kate unexpectedly announced on Friday evening that she will be also attending. It will be her first public appearance since December 25, 2023.
Buckingham Palace has had to cancel and review dozens of forthcoming royal engagements as a result of the General Election but the official celebrations of the sovereign's birthday have thankfully been unaffected.
Dating from the 17th century, Trooping the Colour is one the biggest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,200 soldiers and musicians plus more than 200 horses.
Queen Elizabeth II attended every ceremony during her rain except in 1955 when the event was cancelled due to a national rail strike. A restricted ceremony took place in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A map of where Trooping the Colour will take place on Saturday June 15, 2024
King Charles III (wearing his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London
This year's Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III set to observe the event from a carriage (pictured: Charles and Camilla leaving Buckingham Palace by carriage to Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 for his coronation)
Last June, the King became the first monarch since the late Queen in 1986 to saddle up for the parade but the animal's behaviour came under scrutiny.
Noble, a black mare gifted to Charles by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police when he became King, struggled to adapt to the surroundings and a groom had to step forward to help steady the horse.
What is the Trooping the Colour route?
The ceremony begins at 10am and lasts until around 1pm, the route is as follows:
- The King will travel down The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Once the clock on Horse Guards strikes 11am the King will arrive to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division.
- Following the salute, The King will go up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops.
- The bands will then perform a musical 'troop' and the Regimental Colour will be escorted up and down the ranks of Guards.
- The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery with their guns.
King Charles III saluted as he departed Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as he celebrated his first official birthday since becoming sovereign on June 17, 2023
Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London
Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 9, 2018 in London
- The King will head back to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before taking the salute in front of the Palace railings as the troops march past on their way to their barracks.
- The ceremony is due to finish at 12.25pm.
- The King joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force at approximately 1pm.
Best places to watch Trooping the Colour
With tickets sold out, royal fans will have to head to public vantage points along the route if they want to catch a glimpse of the grandeur.
The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view.
The north and east sides of the green space should also offer good vantage points overlooking Horse Guards Parade.
There will be plenty of good spots to witness the procession at the Mall but the north side will be the best bet to ensure a clear view.
The Household Division has advised potential spectators, however, that troops may restrict what people can see from these vantage points.
The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am.
Make sure to wait until 12pm and you will be able to see different members of the royal family pass by in their carriages.
Once reaching The Mall, you should try to find a spot about three-quarters of the way up near the barricades, which will open after The King has passed.
The Red Arrows pictured flying over Buckingham Palace at last year's flypast. Royal fans are advised to walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it
The best spots are dotted along the Mall and at St James's Park although those looking to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-westerly side for the clearest view (pictured: The Colonel's Review rehearsal of Trooping the Colour on June 8)
The public are advised to set up shop at around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins in order to secure the best spot but are likely to still be able find a decent position around 11am
Enjoy the ceremony, and wait until the police have opened the barricades to walk to the Palace.
Walk down to Buckingham Palace and aim to get there before 1pm. If the air show begins before you get there you can stay put to watch it.
But if you're still wanting to catch a glimpse of the royals on their balcony, speed up to catch them as they may shortly go inside.