King Charles’ birthday isn’t until November. So why is it being celebrated in the summer?

King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, which means two things: He is among the most famous Scorpios in the world, and you probably wouldn’t expect him to be thinking about his birthday in the summer.

But thousands will celebrate the king’s birthday in the UK on Saturday at Trooping the Colour, one of the biggest royal events of the year.

According to the royal family’s website, Trooping the Colour, a massive parade that takes place in June, has been the British sovereign’s official birthday celebration for over 260 years.

Trooping the Colour is the monarch’s official birthday celebration

The annual celebration occurs in the summer, regardless of when the reigning monarch’s actual birthday is.

The royal family’s website says that June is the ideal time to host the parade because the chance of the weather being suitable for outdoor activities in London is high compared to other times of the year.

According to History, King George II, who was born in October, was the first monarch to move his birthday pageantry to the summer, but he combined his official celebration with a summer military parade in 1748.

The reigning monarch’s actual birthday is still publicly acknowledged with a royal gun salute, but the sovereign typically celebrates privately otherwise.

A military parade is the centerpiece of the event

During Trooping the Colour, a parade of royals and military personnel travels from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall in London.

The royal family’s website states that the parade includes over 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians, and 200 horses, and the royals typically ride on horseback or in carriages.

The monarch can participate in the event from either carriage or horseback. According to the BBC, Queen Elizabeth II rode a horse during the parade until 1987.

Once the parade reaches Whitehall, the monarch formally inspects the troops during the ceremony.

Likewise, the chosen Regimental Colour, or flag, is carried through the ranks of participating soldiers before they march back to Buckingham Palace.

Thousands of onlookers cheer on the participants as they process.

According to an FOIA request to the Ministry of Defence, the 2021 Trooping the Colour cost 59,662 pounds, which would be about $81,000 today. That total includes stable costs, transportation, and fuel, among other fees, though it does not factor in the cost of the police presence required to keep the event safe for the royals and attendees.

Trooping the Colour brings the royal family together at Buckingham Palace

Trooping the Colour culminates in a flypast by RAF pilots over Buckingham Palace as the royal family watches from the balcony.

Trooping the Colour marks one of the few times a year the royal family gathers in one place, so they are always heavily photographed when they appear on the balcony.

The occasion offers a chance to see how royals interact with each other, with people analyzing shots of Princess Diana and Prince Harry in years past. Royal children often steal the show when they appear at Buckingham Palace for the event as well.

Royals also use the occasion to send a message to the public since it draws so much public interest.

For instance, the 2024 Trooping the Colour served as the backdrop for Kate Middleton to make her return to public duty after she announced she was undergoing treatment for cancer in March 2024. She rode to the event in a carriage with her children and waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony with the royal family. The Princess of Wales announced she was in remission in January.

Likewise, King Charles appeared at the 2024 Trooping the Colour amid his ongoing weekly cancer treatments, though he rode in a carriage in the parade with Queen Camilla instead of on horseback as a result of his health.

The Times reported the monarch will ride in a carriage again for the 2025 event, though Prince William, his heir, and his sister Princess Anne will ride on horseback through the parade.

Anne is the king’s Gold-Stick-In-Waiting, his ceremonial personal protection officer, at ceremonial events. She first served as her brother’s gold stick at his 2023 coronation.

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