King Charles III Takes Part in "Trooping the Colour" for the First Time

In a red uniform jacket and traditional bearskin hat, King Charles III participated for the first time as king in the "Trooping the Colour" birthday parade. The monarch even rode on a horse and took part in the procession through London.

Celebrating King's Birthday

For the first time since his coronation in May, King Charles III was honored with the traditional birthday parade "Trooping the Colour" in London. The 74-year-old king participated on a black horse, wearing a red uniform jacket and a traditional bearskin hat. Behind him, in the same attire, rode Charles' eldest son, Prince William, and the king's brother, Prince Edward.

For almost four decades, no monarch has ridden a horse during the procession. Charles' late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, rode a horse in the procession in 1986 at the age of 60, but she traveled on the carriage ever since.

Impressive Procesion

The procession consisted of 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 military bands members, all of who marched through the streets of central London. According to the dpa news agency, tens of thousands of people lined the route to see the parade. Charles' wife, Camilla, sat with her daughter-in-law, Kate, the wife of Prince William, and their three children in an open carriage. Other members of the royal family also attended the event, which was broadcasted live on television.

The parade's conclusion and main event were when the Royal Air Force's military planes and helicopters flew past over the Buckingham Palace, while the king's family waved to the crowd from the balcony.

Birthday Parade

King Charles III was born on November 14. Due to the weather, "Trooping the Colour" parade takes place in June, regardless of the British monarch's real birthday.