As royal fans around the world prepare to watch Trooping the Colour – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – expert Jennie Bond reveals why Prince Harry will not be among them
It is one of the rare occasions where the whole of the Royal Family is out in force standing shoulder-to-shoulder. And that is exactly what is expected to happen today when the Firm stands united to celebrate Trooping the Colour.
The event, which is the King’s official birthday celebration, is full of pomp and pageantry and includes the King leading his family out to the Buckingham Palace balcony for the exhilarating RAF flypast that includes the Red Arrows. However, in recent years, there has been no sign of the King’s estranged son, Prince Harry, or his wife, Meghan Markle, joining the event.
They last appeared on the palace balcony with the rest of the royals in 2019 – just months before they dramatically quit their royal roles. Since then their relationship with the royals has crumbled after railing against them in their Netflix series and Harry’s memoir, Spare.
Just weeks ago, Harry revealed he is no longer speaking to his father, but admitted he would like reconciliation with him and his older brother Prince William. But despite Trooping the Colour giving Harry a chance to watch his family in action, royal expert Jennie Bond says she is not sure if the Duke of Sussex will even tune in on TV.
The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “There’s no way Prince Harry will be watching the ceremony – after all, it will be the middle of the night in California. I don’t suppose he wastes much time looking at events he is no longer part of.
“But it must be strange to see his whole family on parade, doing their duty and being cheered by huge crowds while he lives such a different life so far away.
“The day is also a chance for us all to see the family unite around the King, and the balcony moment is always a highlight. Over the years, we have seen a toddler Prince Harry sticking his tongue out, Prince George looking distinctly bored, a young Princess Charlotte looking a little tearful and Savannah Phillips clapping her hand over George’s mouth to keep him quiet! It’s always a heyday for Royal watchers!
“Of course, that must make it a bit of an ordeal for the Royal Family: everyone has to be on their best behaviour. It must also require some pretty skilful horsemanship from the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and Prince Edward to keep their steeds under control for the best part of two hours.
“But they will know that there is a powerful symbolism about such senior members of the Royal family riding as escort to guard the King. And William has been quoted as saying that he really enjoys it.”
The annual event of Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the King or Queen for more than 260 years. The ceremony involves hundreds of horses and soldiers carrying out complex battlefield drill manoeuvres to military music. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together for the impressive display.
During the parade, the royals will travel from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in a procession – either on horseback or in carriages. At Horse Guards, they then watch the military display before joining the procession back to Buckingham Palace once it is over.
After the parade, the royals then gather on the Palace balcony for a march-past and the fly-past by the RAF, which includes the Red Arrows, and will conclude the day’s celebrations.
And Jennie added: “Trooping the Colour is a dazzling spectacle. It’s held in June in the hope that the sun will be shining, the crowds will be warm and the breastplates and swords of the Household Cavalry will be sparkling. It marks the Monarch’s official birthday and is a chance to see all the pomp and pageantry that Britain excels at.
“Historically, the Colour (or flag) was trooped – or displayed – on the battlefield as a rallying point for the soldiers. Today it is not only an exercise in military precision, but also a rallying point for crowds and the TV audience to unite around the monarchy.
“I’ve been lucky enough to attend several Troopings and I defy anyone to keep their feet still as the drums thump out the beat to the military music and the horse’s hooves go thundering by. It really is a spectacle and a half.”