Trooping the Colour 2025 – Timetable and Key Highlights

The King’s Official Birthday Parade drew to a close on Friday with the traditional display of military pageantry that has marked royal celebrations since the eighteenth century. Trooping the Colour 2025 took place on June 13 at Horse Guards Parade in London, with No. 7 Company Coldstream Guards trooping their colour before King Charles III.

The ceremony featured more than 1,350 soldiers, over 300 musicians from the Massed Bands, and approximately 200 horses processing through central London. The Royal Air Force flypast signalled the traditional close of the event, followed by the royal family’s appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

BBC television broadcast highlights of the parade throughout the evening, capturing the full scope of the military display for viewers across the country. The event represented the King’s second Trooping the Colour ceremony since his accession to the throne.

What time and timetable was Trooping the Colour 2025?

• More than 1,400 officers and soldiers paraded through central London
• Approximately 200 horses accompanied the troops
• Over 300 musicians performed in the Massed Bands
• The parade concluded with the Royal Air Force flypast
• 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards secured the processional route along The Mall
• The King’s Official Birthday was marked with a 41-gun salute in Green Park

Which regiment trooped the colour in 2025?

No. 7 Company Coldstream Guards held centre stage at this year’s ceremony, trooping their colour before His Majesty The King. The Coldstream Guards, one of the most senior regiments in the British Army, have participated in Trooping the Colour ceremonies for generations.

Military composition and participation

The parade brought together an impressive display of military manpower. More than 1,350 soldiers participated directly in the event, with over 300 musicians from the Massed Bands providing musical accompaniment throughout the ceremony. Approximately 200 horses from the Household Cavalry added to the traditional spectacle.

An additional 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards were positioned along the processional route on The Mall, maintaining security and contributing to the ceremonial Guard of Honour. The Massed Bands of the Household Division performed throughout the parade, creating the familiar musical backdrop that has characterised these ceremonies.

What was the Trooping the Colour 2025 flypast and crowd like?

The Royal Air Force flypast marked the traditional conclusion of the King’s Official Birthday Parade at approximately 13:00. Aircraft from the RAF passed over Buckingham Palace, completing the annual aerial display that has become one of the most recognisable elements of the ceremony.

Viewing the event

Those without tickets to the seated stands on Horse Guards Parade could watch the procession from The Mall or from the corner of St James’s Park. Basic facilities including restrooms and refreshments were available at these public viewing locations. The processional route through central London attracts thousands of spectators each year who gather to watch the parade pass by.

The BBC broadcast captured the full parade, with Clare Balding presenting the evening highlights programme. The coverage showcased the spectacular military display, the march past, and the traditional moments including the flypast and royal balcony appearance.

Who appeared on the balcony at Trooping the Colour 2025?

At approximately 12:55, King Charles III and members of the Royal Family appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace following the conclusion of the parade. The balcony appearance marked one of the final ceremonial moments of the day, coming shortly after the 41-gun salute fired in Green Park at 12:52 to celebrate the King’s Official Birthday.

Royal participation throughout the day

The King departed Buckingham Palace at 10:45 escorted by the Household Cavalry, arriving at Horse Guards Parade at 11:00 to take the Royal Salute. He then led the parade back up The Mall at 12:20, returning to Buckingham Palace where the balcony appearance took place.

The royal balcony at Buckingham Palace has long served as the focal point for royal celebrations, with members of the extended Royal Family gathering to watch the flypast and acknowledge the crowds below. The 2025 ceremony represented the second Trooping the Colour parade of King Charles III’s reign.

The complete Trooping the Colour 2025 timetable

The King’s Official Birthday Parade followed a precise schedule throughout the morning and early afternoon. The following times outline the progression of events on June 13, 2025.

1. 09:15 onwards — Troops began forming up on Horse Guards Parade
2. 10:45 — His Majesty The King departed Buckingham Palace escorted by the Household Cavalry
3. 11:00 — The King arrived on Horse Guards Parade to take the Royal Salute
4. 12:20 — The King returned up The Mall to Buckingham Palace at the head of His Guards
5. 12:52 — A 41-gun salute was fired in Green Park to mark the King’s Official Birthday
6. 12:55 — The King and other Royal Family members appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace
7. 13:00 — The Royal Air Force conducted the traditional flypast

The parade itself was expected to finish by 12:25 PM, with the flypast and balcony appearance completing the official programme of events for the day.

What we know and what remains unclear about Trooping the Colour 2025

The available sources provide clear information on several aspects of the 2025 ceremony, while some details remain less documented. The following comparison outlines the confirmed facts alongside areas where information is limited.

The historical context of the King’s birthday parade

Trooping the Colour originated as a military ceremony dating back to the eighteenth century, when regiments would display their colours to soldiers who might need to recognise them during battle. The tradition evolved into a celebration of the monarch’s official birthday, combining military pageantry with royal ceremony.

King Charles III’s second Trooping the Colour ceremony continued this established pattern, with the tradition serving dual purposes: honouring the military and celebrating the sovereign. The ceremony has remained largely consistent in its structure while adapting to reflect the current reign.

The event also provides an opportunity for the Royal Family to appear together in public, with the balcony gathering at Buckingham Palace serving as a visible demonstration of unity. The presence of the monarch at Horse Guards Parade, rather than a virtual ceremony, underscores the importance placed on this annual occasion.

Official sources and coverage of Trooping the Colour 2025

The Household Division provided detailed scheduling information through their official communications, with their event listings confirming the date and timetable for the parade.

The parade featured over 1,400 officers and men, two hundred horses, and the Massed Bands of the Household Division.

— Household Division official information

BBC coverage brought the event to television audiences across the country, with comprehensive programme listings available through their broadcast schedules. The public broadcaster provided both highlights and full-length coverage of the day’s ceremonies.

Trooping the Colour 2025 was King Charles III’s second Trooping the Colour, continuing a tradition that has celebrated the birth of the nation’s monarchs since the 18th century.

— Radio Times event summary

Looking ahead: Trooping the Colour 2026 and beyond

The 2025 ceremony marked another successful staging of one of London’s most enduring royal occasions. As the tradition continues under King Charles III, the event will likely follow a similar format in future years, with No. 7 Company Coldstream Guards having completed their trooping duties this year.

For those hoping to attend future ceremonies, tickets for the 2026 event have not yet been announced. The traditional scheduling of the parade means that planning for next year’s attendance can begin once official announcements are made.

For context on the Royal Family’s recent activities, Prince Harry’s return to the UK and discussions around the Invictus Games provide relevant background on current family dynamics. Additionally, understanding the broader history of royal ceremonies helps place this event in proper perspective within the institution’s evolution.

Frequently asked questions about Trooping the Colour