King Charles is set to ride in a carriage for the upcoming Trooping the Colour next month, as opposed to the traditional horseback, due to his cancer treatment, reports suggest. Despite battling cancer, the 75 year old monarch is resolute about participating in the official birthday festivities on June 15.
Adjustments are being made to the annual event's proceedings to accommodate his health situation, with Buckingham Palace and the Ministry of Defence having spent weeks deliberating potential modifications. King Charles has recently returned to public duties.
There was talk of King Charles possibly observing the ceremony from a podium at one point. A source from the Palace disclosed to The Times that "forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary." It's anticipated that the King will now make his appearance in a carriage rather than on horseback, which is the usual practice for reigning monarchs.
However, it has been emphasized that these plans are still under review. Alongside other prominent Royal Family members, King Charles is expected to grace the palace balcony for the RAF flypast, reports the Mirror. His level of participation will ultimately hinge on his health status and the guidance provided by his medical team.
Last year's Trooping the Colour on June 17, marking the first under Charles III's era, was a significant occasion with numerous key senior royals accompanying him. As the King rode horseback alongside the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, all clad in their military attire, throngs of spectators filled the Mall.
The Princess of Wales opted for a civilian outfit and travelled by carriage, despite her role as colonel of the Irish Guards. She did, however, wear a green ensemble in a nod to the regiment. Queen Camilla, who is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, also chose a day dress for the occasion. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, were also part of the Royal line-up.
Observers noted that the ceremony seemed to reflect King Charles's promise of a 'slimmed-down' monarchy. Notably absent were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who not only missed the balcony appearance but didn't attend any part of the ceremony.
Prince Andrew was also missing from the event. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, along with their husbands, were also absent. Despite being grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth II and previously included in the Trooping the Colour, they, like Harry, are not working royals and so were not present.
Prince George and Prince Louis sported matching navy suits for the event, while their sister, eight year old Princess Charlotte, donned a red and white dress. The event concluded with a spectacular flypast at Buckingham Palace, featuring around 70 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
