The British monarch, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year, will be attending Trooping the Colour on Saturday. This event marks the second in his reign and the first since his diagnosis was made by Buckingham Palace.
According to royal biographer Christopher Andersen, the tradition of the monarch having two birthday celebrations dates back to King Charles II and Trooping the Colour became an annual event during the reign of King George III.
Despite undergoing cancer treatment, King Charles will attend the event, albeit in a horse-drawn carriage alongside Queen Camilla instead of riding on horseback as he had done previously. Andersen emphasized the importance of the king displaying the monarchy's strength during this challenging time.
The king's daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, is set to attend the parade, marking her first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis. The king is determined to follow his late mother's mantra of 'keep calm and carry on' and show that all is well within the House of Windsor.
Andersen highlighted the significance of the balcony scene at the event, where all senior royals appear, symbolizing the unity of the royal family.
While known for his quirks, such as traveling with a pet teddy bear and specific preferences for silverware and clothing arrangements, these aspects will not be on display during Trooping the Colour, which is a formal ceremonial affair honoring the military.
The king's focus is on the monarchy's future and streamlining its operations, especially in light of recent departures and scandals within the royal family. Despite facing health battles and unexpected challenges, King Charles remains resolute and committed to his role.
