Royal Family LIVE: King’s birthday parade countdown begins

Good morning royal fans!Trooping the Colour is here, the grand celebration of the King’s official birthday. And guess what? Sunshine is in the forecast! You know what that means… open carriages! (But let’s be honest – this is London, that can quickly change)

Today’s parade promises a full royal turnout: You’ll see His Majesty the King and Queen, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their always-adorable trio: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Also on parade will be the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – so plenty of regal moments await.

And here’s the best part: I’ll be right here all day, bringing you the best photos, cutest clips, and behind-the-scenes tidbits as the day unfolds. So whether you’re watching from home or sneakily scrolling during brunch, I’ve got your royal coverage sorted.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Princess Kate’s iconic 2024 return to the limelightCast your mind back to this time last year. The Princess of Wales had been lying low for six months amid news of her cancer treatment, and royal fans were anxiously waiting to see whether she would make an appearance at Trooping the Colour.

Kate was met with applause and cheers as she departed Buckingham Palace. riding in a carriage with her three young children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Watch the special moment in the video below… We can’t wait to see her again this year.

Last-minute changes to this year’s paradeKing Charles has made a last-minute change to this weekend’s Trooping the Colour parade.

The King has asked that royal family members taking part in Saturday’s celebrations wear black armbands. This comes after the horrific Air India crash on Thursday in Ahmedabad, western India, which claimed 241 lives, including 53 British nationals. The only survivor was Viswashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old man from the UK.

A one-minute silence will also be held following the inspection of the military parade at Horse Guards Parade. Read more about it here.

King’s birthday special: 50% off membership of The HELLO! Royal ClubIn honour of the King’s official birthday parade, we’re offering 50% off annual Royal Club membership until midnight — just £19.50 / $27.50 for the year (usually £39.99)!

The Wales’ are already in LondonThe Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – are already in London for the big event. While the family usually resides at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, they often make use of their Kensington Palace home when major events with early starts take place in the capital. Did you know their Kensington home has 20 rooms? We can’t wait to see them all later today!

The floral display in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace is a thing of beautyA cooler day for the ParadeAfter the sweltering heat of Friday, today’s weather is bringing a bit of a breather.

While we’re still seeing warm summer temperatures, with highs of around 22°C, it’s noticeably cooler than yesterday’s peak of 27°C. And honestly, that’s good news for everyone involved – especially those on parade.

Let’s not forget, Trooping the Colour is a full-on event. The soldiers, guards, and royal family members spend hours in full uniform under the open sky – those bearskin hats and ceremonial outfits aren’t exactly built for a heatwave! In past years, some of the guards have actually fainted due to the extreme temperatures, so today’s slightly gentler conditions will no doubt be welcome.

No gifts for the King – and here’s whyYes, today is the King’s Birthday Parade – but no, his actual birthday isn’t today. King Charles was born in November, so this event isn’t about cake and presents (if that makes sense!). Instead, it’s a day filled with pomp, ceremony… and some very special gifts from the King: honours.

Miss Anne-Marie Duff, Actor, is made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Windsor CastleThis year, 19 new knighthoods and 21 damehoods have been awarded, along with many MBEs. In total, 1,200 people feature on the main honours list issued by the Cabinet Office. The youngest recipient is just 11 years old, and the oldest is an impressive 106!

So, who’s made the list this year? Have a look here.

King honours his loyal aidesWhile big names like David Beckham, Tess Daly, and Claudia Winkleman feature on this year’s Birthday Honours list, King Charles has also used the moment to quietly shine a light on the people who work closest to him—those who support him behind the scenes every day.

Among the standout honours are several members of the Royal Medical Household, a clear nod to how much the King values the care he and Queen Camilla receive.

You might be surprised at who has been honoured, read all about it here.

No horseback ride for King CharlesKing Charles, 76, will not ride a horse in this year’s Trooping the Colour, marking the second year in a row he will travel in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla due to his ongoing cancer treatment.

At the 2024 ceremony on 15 June, the King and Queen rode in an Ascot Landau carriage.

Don’t remember much about last year’s parade? Have a look at these photos.

The King and Queen in 2024So, which royals will be on horseback?Queen Camilla’s look revealedQueen Camilla’s Trooping the Colour outfit has been revealed — and it’s as elegant as ever!

Her Majesty will be wearing a white silk crepe dress with silver embroidery by Anna Valentine, paired with a hat by Philip Treacy. Completing the look, she’ll be wearing a Grenadier Guards brooch, a nod to her honorary military role.

We’ll be sharing a photo as soon as we can — watch this space!

Matt Goss is attending the paradeIt’s not just royalty attending the parade — English singer-songwriter and musician Matt Goss was also spotted at Horse Guards Parade this morning. Here he is, pictured at the event.

Matt Goss arrives for the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards ParadePrincess of Wales misses Colonels’ dinner for a second year in a rowLast night, The Prince of Wales attended the Senior Colonels’ Conference at Clarence House in his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards. Earlier in the day, he also received the Director of Special Forces at Windsor Castle.

However, for the second year in a row, the Princess of Wales, Colonel of the Irish Guards, was unable to attend the dinner. She was formally represented by Major General Christopher Ghika, the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Irish Guards.

The Wales’ are ready and out!The Wales’ are ready for Trooping – see the first picture here. How incredible do they all look?

The Wales’ on their way to Buckingham PalaceRoyal family share first behind-the-scenes video of preparationsThe Royal Family has shared a great video showing how everything comes together ahead of Trooping the Colour. The caption reads: “The final preparations are being made to the horses and carriages ahead of this year’s Trooping the Colour.”

In the video, you can spot some of the staff at the Royal Mews wearing black arm bands.

Prince William pictured with black armbandPrince William is wearing his black armband on his left arm, as visible in the photo below. The King made a last-minute change to their uniform on Friday, all the details here.

Prince William and family on his way to Buckingham PalaceThe Duke and Duchess of EdinburghThe Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of the parade.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive at Buckingham Palace A closer look at Catherine’s dress coatWhat is the Princess of Catherine wearing?First pictures are in and we can finally reveal what Catherine is wearing to today’s Trooping the Colour! The Princess of Wales is wearing a dress coat by Catherine Walker, hat by Juliette Botterill, the Irish Guards Regimental Brooch, the late Queen’s Bahrain Pearl earrings.

The Princess looked beautiful in a Catherine Walker coatThe parade is ready to begin – and we’re excited!The countdown is really on! We’ve got a lot of details to share, so don’t miss out!

Members of the Foot Guards outside Buckingham Palace ahead of Trooping the Colour ceremonyKing’s third parade as monarchThis year marks the third Trooping the Colour of His Majesty’s reign. The King attended his first Trooping the Colour in 1951, aged three, riding in a carriage with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and aunt, Princess Margaret. The King first rode in the parade as Colonel of the Welsh Guards in 1975.

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Consort to King George VI with Princess Margaret Rose (1930 – 2002) and Prince Charles returning to Buckingham Palace after the Trooping The Colour ceremony, at Horse Guards’ Parade, LondonNo Lady Louise or Earl of WessexNoticeably missing from this year’s parade are the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s two children, Lady Louise and the Earl of Wessex. Their absence is likely due to their ongoing studies.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is riding in a carriage alongside Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, while Prince Edward is on horseback.

What carriages are being used?As mentioned earlier, some royals will be riding in carriages, while others will be on horseback. So, which carriages are being used? And what are the horses’ names? Here’s everything you need to know:

The Duchess of Edinburgh will be riding with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence in the No. 1 Barouche. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will be in the No. 2 Barouche. The Princess of Wales and her children will travel in the Ascot Landau — the same model that the King and Queen will also use.

Meanwhile, the horses being ridden are as follows: The Prince of Wales will ride Darby, the Princess Royal will ride Noble, and the Duke of Edinburgh will ride Sir John.

Extended family also there today!It’s still unclear which extended members of the Royal Family will be attending today’s big event, but a minibus was spotted making its way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade before the parade began.

The King’s uniform and touching tribute to late QueenAs Colonel-in-Chief of the Household Division, His Majesty The King is dressed in full ceremonial attire for this year’s Trooping the Colour.

This year, the Colour being trooped is that of the Coldstream Guards, and accordingly, The King will wear the Coldstream Guards’ Tunic and Forage Cap. It is customary for the Sovereign to wear the uniform of the regiment whose Colour is being trooped.

Notably, His Majesty’s uniform still bears the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, a touching detail that reflects his previous role as Personal Aide-de-Camp to his late mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

First photo of the King and QueenThe King and Queen were cheered by the crowds as they exited Buckingham Palace this morning. The Queen is wearing a white silk crepe dress with silver embroidery by Anna Valentine, paired with a hat by Philip Treacy. Completing the look, she’s wearing a Grenadier Guards brooch, a nod to her honorary military role.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla make their way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade The Prince of Wales’ uniformThe Prince of Wales, Colonel, Welsh Guards, is wearing the Full Ceremonial Guard Order of the Welsh Guards. HRH is also wearing the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George and a Welsh Guards Sword. He is wearing four medals: the Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee medals, plus the Coronation Medal(observed L to R).

Chest Orders: the Most Noble Order of the Garter (Garter Star), worn above the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (Thistle Star) and the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Bath Star).

Neck Order: Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

The Prince is also wearing aiguilettes as a Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty. The uniform of His Royal Highness bears the cypher of King Charles as a Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty and the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II as The Prince was Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Like mother, like daughter!What a picture! The Princess of Wales and her mini-me, Princess Charlotte are truly two peas in a pod!

Princess Charlotte and the Princess of WalesWhy is William not in the carriage with his family?Like we mentioned before, the Prince of Wales is on horseback! He is riding Darby. Darby was presented in 2019 to mark the 80th anniversary of the RCMP’s breeding programme and the 50th anniversary of the presentation of Burmese.

The Prince of Wales Prince Edward’s uniformThe Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel, Scots Guards, is wearing the Full Ceremonial Guard Order of the Scots Guards. HRH wears the Thistle Star and Sash, Thistle Star, GCVO Star, the Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee medals, plus the Coronation Medal, along with HRH’s New Zealand and Canadian Orders.

The Duke is wearing aiguilettes as a Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty. The uniform of His Royal Highness bears the cypher of King Charles as a Personal Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty and the cypher of Queen Elizabeth II as The Prince was Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.