Trooping the Colour: London’s Most Spectacular Dress-Up Day!

If you happen to be in London in June and suddenly find yourself surrounded by scarlet tunics, gleaming horses, brass bands and enthusiastic tourists waving tiny Union flags — congratulations, you’ve stumbled into Trooping the Colour. 

Despite sounding faintly like an arts-and-crafts event, Trooping the Colour is actually the King’s official birthday parade and one of London’s grandest military spectacles. The slightly confusing part is that the monarch has two birthdays: their actual birthday and an “official” one. The tradition exists partly for a very British reason — the weather. A grand outdoor parade is much easier to enjoy in June than in the depths of winter, when Britain tends to offer drizzle, sideways wind and national disappointment. 

The tradition goes back more than 260 years, although “trooping” regimental colours is even older — originally soldiers needed to recognise their flags on smoky battlefields. Thankfully, modern London is slightly less dramatic. The parade itself is wonderfully over the top: more than 1,400 soldiers, around 200 horses and 400 musicians process from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade before the Royal Family appears on the palace balcony for the RAF flypast. 

For many royal-watchers, part of the fun is the speculation. Will the King ride on horseback or travel by carriage? What will the Princess of Wales and the children wear? Trooping the Colour has quietly become as much a royal fashion moment as a military one. 

A little insider tip: many Londoners actually prefer the rehearsals, which offer much of the same pageantry with slightly smaller crowds. 

One practical thing to know: Changing of the Guard is often disrupted around Trooping dates, especially near Buckingham Palace, as rehearsals and road closures take priority. 

Key Dates for 2026 

Major General’s Review – Saturday 30 May 2025 

Colonel’s Review – Saturday 6 June 2025

Trooping the Colour – Saturday 13 June 2025 

Closest stations: Westminster, Charing Cross