What is Trooping the Colour?

The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.

Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday.

The streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony.

What happens during Trooping the Colour?

 

Once the Sovereign has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade in Whitehall, they are greeted by a Royal salute and carry out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.

After the military bands have performed, the escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Over one hundred words of command are used by the Officer in Command of the Parade to direct the several hundred soldiers.

Once the Foot Guards have marched past the Sovereign, they ride back to Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again at the Palace from a dais. 

The Sovereign is then joined by other Members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. A 41-gun salute is also fired in Green Park to mark the occasion. 

How to watch Trooping the Colour

You can find full details on how you can watch the Trooping the Colour Parade, including how to apply for places in the seated stands at Horse Guard's Parade, on the Household Division's website.

The ceremony is also broadcast live by the BBC.

Related content

Feature

The Duke of Cambridge unveiled a new Submariners memorial

The Duke of Cambridge unveiled a new Submariners memorial at the National Arboretum
Feature

The Platinum Jubilee weekend

A day-by-day run through of Jubilee events
Feature

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Duke and Duchess attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks
Feature

The inaugural Earthshot Prize Ceremony Awards London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge attended The Royal Foundation’s Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium

The Duke of Cambridge spoke to emergency services from across all four nations.
Press release 04 June 2021

The Queen's Official Birthday

Read more

A speech by The Duchess of Cambridge at the Royal Foundation's Forum on the Early Years

The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken of her ambition to put the Early Years on an equal footing with the other great social challenges and opportunities of our time during an...

27 November 2020
Feature

The Duchess of Cambridge reveals the results of her 5 Big Questions survey

The Duchess of Cambridge reveals the results of her 5 Big Questions survey

A message from Her Majesty The Queen on the 75th anniversary of VJ day

May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.

15 August 2020
Feature

An Open Letter from The Duchess of Cambridge to Midwives

The Duchess of Cambridge has written an open letter to midwives across the country

The Countess of Wessex's speech at the Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

As you climb each step think of the thousands of officers who have gone before you; those who fought and survived, those who fought and died in the many campaigns since...

13 December 2019
Feature

Remembrance 2019

Members of the Royal Family remember the war dead.
Feature

The King's Cup

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host the inaugural regatta The King’s Cup in 2019
Feature

The 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Members of the Royal Family remember the sacrifices made during the Allied landings

A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at a United for Wildlife Joint Taskforce meeting

It has taken a lot of hard work – and real commitment – to get to the point where you are all sitting here together today. And we should all feel proud that we’re starting to...

14 May 2019

Remarks by The Duchess of Cambridge at The Royal Foundation’s ‘Mental Health in Education’ Conference

The scientific and other evidence is clear the first few years of a child’s life are more pivotal for development and for future health and happiness than any other single...

13 February 2019

A speech by The Duke of Sussex at The Endeavour Fund Awards

You do not have to be defined by your injury or disability. It does not have to hold you back.

07 February 2019
Feature

Remembrance 2018

Find out more about how The Royal Family are marking Remembrance 2018

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the handover of the Defence & National Rehab Centre to the nation

The Duke of Cambridge's speech at the handover of the Defence & National Rehabilitation Centre to the nation, during which he read the winning poem from the DNRC National...

21 June 2018

A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at the Workplace Wellbeing Conference

I am delighted that The Royal Foundation and Mind will be launching a new Workplace Wellbeing Programme in September to support employers across the country

01 March 2018

A speech by Prince Harry at The Royal Foundation Forum

So far today you’ve heard William explain The Royal Foundation model of working together. And Catherine has shared with you, our belief in the value of focusing on the long...

28 February 2018