King Charles III will not ride on horseback during this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking a notable shift in royal tradition as the monarch continues his cancer treatment.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that His Majesty, 76, will attend the annual celebration of the Sovereign’s official birthday in a horse-drawn carriage rather than on horseback. The change reflects ongoing health considerations, as the King receives weekly cancer treatments. He had returned to the saddle for the occasion in 2023 — the first monarch to do so since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last rode in the parade in 1986 — but will now take a less physically demanding role.
The King will inspect the troops from the Ascot Landau carriage alongside Queen Camilla, mirroring the arrangements seen at last month’s State Opening of Parliament. Despite stepping back from the mounted inspection, the King’s presence at the event is seen as a reassuring signal of his continuing public engagements amidst his recovery.
His Majesty’s sister, The Princess Royal, is expected to ride in her role as Gold Stick in Waiting. She will be joined on horseback by the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Scots Guards, continuing the family’s deep involvement in ceremonial military duties.
Trooping the Colour, a highlight of the British equestrian and ceremonial calendar, will take place on Saturday 15 June on Horse Guards Parade, featuring over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians. This year, the Irish Guards will troop their Colour.
While His Majesty’s decision marks a departure from tradition, it also reflects a thoughtful balance between ceremony and personal wellbeing. Equestrian enthusiasts and royal watchers alike will still see the enduring presence of cavalry and horsemanship at the heart of the event — a testament to the monarchy’s historic bond with the horse.