King Charles.Photo:Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
King Charlesis taking the reins atTrooping the Colourthis weekend!
On Monday, Buckingham Palace announced that the King, 74, will ride on horseback in his upcomingbirthday paradein London on Saturday, June 17. It will mark the first time the British monarch has saddled up for the annual event since 1986 whenQueen Elizabethlast rode in the procession on her beloved horse Burmese. In the years that followed, the Queen opted to take a carriage instead — and in 2003, her husband,Prince Philip, hung up his stirrups and joined her.
Although she stopped riding at Trooping the Colour in the 1980s, Queen Elizabeth remained adedicated equestrianthroughout her life. The history-making monarch, who died in September at age 96, was often seen going for leisurely rides around her royal residences well into her 90s. In 2021, it was reported that she stopped riding her ponies due to “discomfort,” but a source told PEOPLE that she wasback in the saddlethe following year.
Queen Elizabeth.PA Images via Getty
PA Images via Getty
Queen Elizabeth passed down her passion for horses and riding to some of their children and grandchildren — who have previously showed off their skills in the Trooping the Colour procession! King Charles,Princess Anne,Prince AndrewandPrince Williamhave all ridden in the parade in years past. Charles, Anne, 72, and William, 40,most recently rodein the parade last year, while Andrew, 63, last took part in 2019.
The traditional Trooping the Colour procession was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, though the Queen’sofficial public birthdaywas still toasted with smaller celebrations at Windsor Castle. In January 2022, Queen Elizabeth stripped Prince Andrew of his military titles and patronageswake of the scandalsurrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein — including his ceremonial role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, which he previously represented at Trooping the Colour. The position has since passed toQueen Camilla.
King Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne.DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty
DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty
After Queen Elizabeth died and King Charles acceded the throne in September 2022, he became Colonel-in-Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. At Trooping the Colour this Saturday — the first of his royal reign — he will be honored as ceremonial head of the Grenadier Guards, Welsh Guards, Irish Guards, Blues and Royals, Scots Guards, Life Guards and Coldstream Guards.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Trooping the Colour 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
While Charles has attended Trooping the Colour since he was a child, this year is special as his first as King. The celebratory parade has been performed in the monarch’s honor for over 260 years and was first formally affiliated with the sovereign’s birthday for King George II in 1748.
On Saturday, 1,500 soldiers, 300 horses and 400 musicians will come together for a patriotic display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare. The epic celebration comes just six weeks after hishistoric coronationof King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 6.
Over the weekend, Prince Williamlead rehearsalson horseback for the big day as Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards — where one soldier on foot fainted due to the high temperatures butkept playingthe trombone!
“A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat. Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W,” wrote the Prince of Wales on Twitter.
source: people.com
