The King was in full uniform for Trooping the Colour and his
secret for keeping cool during the long parade has been
spotted.
King Charles, along with Queen Camilla and the Princess of
Wales, took centre stage at the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade,
sitting on a dais in the centre of Horse Guards Parade where the
event is held.
With temperatures climbing as London starts to enjoy some real
summer weather, the royal podium was covered to keep the sun’s rays
at bay.
And the royal party had another cooling trick on hand. Beneath
their chairs, a row of mineral water bottles could be spotted.
There was another regal touch as all three had been given
special glasses to drink from.
Underneath the chairs there was no sign of a paper or plastic
cup or a straw. Instead, The King and Queen as well as the Princess
had been provided with cut glass tumblers to use for their
water.
Kate was already keeping cool, choosing an ice blue coat with
matching hat for the Parade. The Princess of Wales chose a coat
dress with white trim by Catherine Walker and a pale blue straw hat
by Philip Treacy for the occasion.
glass tumblers were clearly visible during the parade
(Photo by Donald C Todd/ Ministry of Defence)
The Queen was in much warmer clothes, wearing a bespoke Fiona
Clare jacket created to match the uniform of the Grenadier Guards.
Queen Camilla is their Colonel and has worn the outfit before to
Trooping. She chose it again this year as her regiment is trooping
their colour.
The King and Queen arrived at Horse Guards by carriage, leading
out the procession which also saw the Princess of Wales travel from
Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade by Ascot Landau. Kate was
with her three children – Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10
and 8 year old Prince Louis.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Tim Laurence were in the first
landau to leave the palace with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
also arriving by carriage.
The Prince of Wales rode to the parade along the Mall with the
Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh also on horseback for the
event.
King Charles took the salute as Trooping the Colour took place
with the traditional pageantry. This is the fourth Sovereign’s
Birthday Parade of his reign. In 2022, he also took the salute when
he stood in for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who didn’t travel
to Horse Guards and instead reviewed the troops from the balcony of
Buckingham Palace as they returned following the parade.
As this year’s spectacular came to an end, King Charles and
Queen Camilla returned to Buckingham Palace for the traditional fly
past and a balcony appearance.
