Trooping The Color 2024: the guests and the absent, the enigma Kate Middleton and the new role of King Charles

All ready in London for Trooping The Colour, the parade in honor of King Charles III’s birthday, which in 2024 will be held on Saturday 15 June. The expression, literally Flag Parade, also known as Sovereign’s Birthday Parade, does not coincide with the sovereign’s birth, just as it did not coincide with that of Elizabeth II, born on April 21st. The reason is purely meteorological. The idea came to George II, born on 9 November 1683: the British weather was too uncertain for a celebration in that month, so the king decided to set it for the second Saturday in June, a choice that all sovereigns after him have maintained good grade, in the name of tradition.

Trooping The Color: the origins

The origin of the parade, however, is even older than George II: it refers to the tradition of using the flags of the different regiments to signal the rallying points during battles. Once the wars ended, the scenario changed. Today the parade takes place at the Horse Guards Parade at St. James’s Palace, in front of the sovereign and his family, who participate on horseback or in a carriage and then watch the final stages from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, with the passage of the RAF to conclude the party.

King Charles III will be there, but in a carriage

Elizabeth II led her first parade as queen in 1952, on horseback. At the time the future Charles III was just 4 years old. One year after his coronation, the current sovereign has already had to overcome more than one problem. In January he underwent prostate surgery and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer which kept him away from the scene for a few weeks. It is certain that he will not miss the 2024 parade. Carlo’s desire was to lead the troops on horseback as per tradition, to convey the idea of ​​a firm monarchy as well as his deep-rooted sense of duty, but in the end he will parade in a carriage , as rumored by several British media on the eve of the party. Queen Elizabeth’s first time in a carriage was in 1986, at the age of 60. The tests in London have been going on for days: together with the king, who reviewed the troops last June 10th, 1,400 soldiers in full uniform, 200 horses and 400 musicians will parade.

From Kate Middleton’s absence to William: here’s who will be there and who won’t

Alongside the king, there will obviously be his wife, Queen Camilla. However, the participation of Kate Middleton, the great absentee of 2024, is decidedly unlikely. The Princess of Wales is treating a cancer that was diagnosed at the end of February and her diary – according to the latest rumors – would be empty until the end of the ‘year. Kate sent a message to the troops that she was supposed to review in recent days, as Honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards. “I appreciate everyone who practiced for months this year and dedicated many hours to ensure their uniforms and drills were immaculate,” the princess wrote. «Being your Colonel remains a great honor and I am very sorry that I cannot review the troops this year», he continued. “My apologies to the entire regiment, however I hope to be able to represent you all once again very soon.” A message that dispels gossip about a possible surprise participation. Her husband William will certainly be there, while the presence of her children, George, Charlotte and Louis, who usually parade in a carriage and then say goodbye from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, has not yet been confirmed. Instead we will certainly see the Dukes of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, with their children Louise and James, Princess Anne with her husband Timothy Lawrence, the Duke of Kent and the Dukes of Gloucester. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, however, were not invited for the second consecutive year. King Charles III has always dreamed of a streamlined monarchy, and since his first year on the throne he has only wanted senior royals, i.e. those who actually work for the monarchy, next to him on the balcony. The second son and daughter-in-law are no longer part of the narrative, by their choice.