Trooping The Colors 2023: King Charles III Takes His First Birthday Salute

Trooping The Colors was successfully held on Saturday, June 17, 2023. It was the first Trooping The Colors ceremony in King Charles III's reign where he took his first birthday salute. 

Trooping The Colors is an annual royal spectacle in Britain with an impressive display of pageantry by Regiments of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade. It is also known as "The King's Birthday Parade" as it celebrates the official birthday of the reigning British monarch. 

King Charles III takes his first birthday salute at Trooping The Colors 2023. Photo credit: The Royal Family

This year's Trooping The Colors was the first time since 1986 that the reigning British monarch rode on horseback on the parade. Behind His Majesty on horseback were The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Princess Royal.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace ©Getty Images 

The annual birthday parade started with a procession from Buckingham Palace to the House Guards Palace, followed by a ceremony at Horse Guards. 

His Majesty, his two siblings, and his heir, led the procession back to Buckingham Palace with other senior members of the Royal Family in horse-drawn carriages. Afterwards, they appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the cheering crowd and watched the fly-past presentation of the military. 

King Charles III leads the procession on horseback. Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal. Photo credit: The Royal Family

In Trooping The Colors 2022, following the controversial issues of why The Duke of York and The Duke of Sussex stepped back from senior royal roles, Queen Elizabeth II decided that only working members of the Royal Family will appear with her on the balcony. 

It began the new tradition of the British Royal Family of only working royals will appear on the palace's balcony during public events.

Sir Tim Laurence is not a working member of the Royal Family but he was allowed to step on the balcony during public events to support his wife, Princess Anne. 

Royal carriage procession. Photo credit: Rob Pinney/Getty Images

The Waleses children with Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales. Photo: Reuters

His Majesty King Charles III held the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiments of the Household Division. Each Regiment has a Colonel who is normally either a member of the Royal Family or a senior officer.

Their Majesties at Trooping the Colors 2023. Photo credit: The Royal Family

There are three newly appointed Colonels within the Foot Guards:

Colonel, Grenadier Guards - The Queen Consort

Colonel, Welsh Guards - The Prince of Wales

Colonel, Irish Guards - The Princess of Wales

Anne, The Princess Royal remains the Colonel of the Blue and Royals regiment and Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent is still the Colonel of the Scots Guards.

Trooping the Colors has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years since the 18th century. This year, over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians came together in a great display of military precision, horsemanship, and fanfare to mark The King’s official birthday. 

From left: Sir Tim Laurence (husband of Princess Anne), The Princess Royal, Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, The Prince and Princess of Wales, The King and Queen, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children 

The Waleses attend Trooping The Colours ©Getty Images 

The Princess of Wales wearing an emerald dress from Andrew Gn. Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Catherine, the Princess of Wales wore an emerald green dress from Andrew Gn and a matching wide-brimmed green hat by Phillip Treacy, the color symbolizes her new role as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards, taking over the role from Prince William who was appointed by his father as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards.

Queen Camilla, who was recently appointed to the Order of Thistle (the highest honor in Scotland equivalent to the Order of the Garter in England) by His Majesty, wore a scarlet red coat dress similar to the uniform of the Grenadier Guards where she is the currently appointed Colonel-in-Chief.

The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Timothy Laurence. Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Photo credit: Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images

Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales. Photo credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

First Trooping the Colors attendance of King Charles when he was only two, flanked by his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and aunt, Princess Margaret. Photo credit: The Royal Collection Trust

King Charles III began attending the Trooping The Colors in June 1951 when he was only two years old and seven months. It was the last Trooping The Colors ceremony in the reign of his grandfather, King George VI. Eight months later, King George died from coronary thrombosis in Sandringham estate. 

Father and daughter moment. Prince William and Princess Charlotte

Father and daughter moment. Prince William and Princess Charlotte

Father and daughter moment. Prince William and Princess Charlotte