If King Charles III of England’s birthday is on November 14, why has the British royal family gathered today to celebrate the monarch’s anniversary? The answer lies in one of the most deeply rooted traditions in this royal house: Trooping the Colour, a military parade held every June to celebrate, precisely, the monarch’s birthday (taking advantage of the early summer good weather) and which has become one of the most important events for these royals.
In recent years, moreover, Trooping the Colour has been the perfect occasion to witness the changes to which the British monarchy has been subjected. Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the popular balcony from which the day’s protagonists appear has considerably reduced its capacity, something we have been able to verify in this edition held today at the Horse Guards Parade in London.
Familia real británica en el Trooping the Colour 2026
Gone are those images of the balcony filled with all the members of the family. This 2026 the kings Charles and Camilla have been surrounded by a reduced number of companions. Among them stood out Prince William, the heir to the throne, his wife, Kate Middleton, and their children George, Charlotte and Louis. Alongside them were also other members of the royalty such as Princesses Anne and Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie and her husband, and the Dukes of Gloucester.
As expected, once again there is no trace of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have not attended this event since 2019. Nor was the presence of former Prince Andrew nor Sarah Ferguson anticipated; while she drastically reduced her public appearances after divorcing Charles III’s brother, their absence is even more notable now that their closeness to Jeffrey Epstein has been revealed.
But the most mourned absence (and having nothing to do with family scandals) was that of Lady Pamela Hicks, who died on June 5 at the age of 97. Cousin of the Duke of Edinburgh and right-hand woman to Elizabeth II, she was one of the closest members to the royal family and beloved by all its members, who mourn her loss.
King Charles and Camilla at Trooping the Colour 2026
A date marked by the health problems of the royal family
The annual Trooping the Colour parade not only gives us clues about how the relationships between the British royals stand, it also informs us about the health status of each of them. In recent years, this event has been one of the most important in terms of understanding the evolution of Kate Middleton, who announced in March 2024 that she had cancer and who chose the Trooping the Colour of that same year to make her first public appearance since it became known that she suffered from this disease.
Since then, this event has served to witness more closely the recovery of the future queen consort. Fortunately, this year we have been able to see her recovered and fulfilling her official duties, after having resumed her international agenda with the official visit to Italy that she undertook in May 2026. Kate Middleton arrived accompanied by her children in a carriage and has accompanied the British monarchs throughout the ceremony.
Those who do continue to carry the consequences of the cancer (which he made public the same year as the Princess of Wales) is Charles III. As tradition dictates, the king should enter the Trooping the Colour parade on horseback; however, since he suffers from this illness, Charles III arrives accompanied by Queen Camilla in a carriage. Those who did ride in on horseback were his son, Prince William, and his siblings, Princess Anne and Edward.
Kate Middleton en Trooping the Colour 2026
The impeccable elegance of Kate Middleton
Another milestone of these parades is Kate Middleton’s outfits, which always stand out for being well-chosen, elegant, and perfectly suited to the occasion. This year, the Princess of Wales chose a spring coat in sky blue with white details, with a cross-closure, long sleeves, a lapel collar, and shoulder pads that make this piece the most sophisticated choice.
Accessories are essential in this type of look. In her case, Kate Middleton wanted to elevate the look by adding a wide-brim hat in the same color as the coat, ideal to protect herself from the sun. She completes the ensemble with white pointed-toe high heels and diamond earrings in the shape of a flower that illuminate her face.
