The late Queen famously celebrated two birthdays - one on her actual birthday on April 21, before she marked her “official” birthday at Trooping the Colour in June.
That tradition has left many fans of the royal family asking if King Charles III will do the same. The king celebrated his 74th birthday in November - and the two-birthday tradition wasn’t unique to Queen Elizabeth II.
In the 1740s, King George II began the tradition of celebrating his birthday twice when he marked his “official” birthday at the military parade. His actual birthday was in October but the June weather was much more desirable. Trooping the Colour is the official birthday parade of the Monarch and takes place each year - the royals have confirmed that King Charles will indeed celebrate his birthday twice.
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When is King Charles III’s actual birthday?
King Charles III was born on November 14 1948. This is when the monarch celebrates his actual birthday.
When will King Charles III’s official birthday be?
Trooping the Colour is held in June each year and will be used to mark King Charles III’s birthday. This year, the day will be marked on June 17 in central London.
The sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour (King's Birthday Parade).
What happens at Trooping the Colour?
The ceremony is one of the biggest military parades in the British calendar, and this year will follow the huge parade already seen during the coronation. "In 2023, this impressive display of pageantry will take place on Saturday 17th June by Regiments of the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with His Majesty The King attending and taking the salute," says the official website for the royals.
"His Majesty King Charles III will hold the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiments of Household Division. Each Regiment has a Colonel who is normally either a member of the Royal Family or a senior officer.
"There are three newly appointed Colonels within the Foot Guards, announced today:
- Colonel, Grenadier Guards - The Queen Consort
- Colonel, Welsh Guards - The Prince of Wales
- Colonel, Irish Guards - The Princess of Wales
"There will be no change to the existing Colonelcies of the other Regiments within the Household Division, which will remain as below:
- Colonel, Blue and Royals - The Princess Royal
- Colonel, Scots Guards - The Duke of Kent
- Colonel, Life Guards - Lieutenant General Sir Ed Smyth-Osbourne
- Colonel, Coldstream Guards - Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall
"The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years. 2023 will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour as Sovereign.
"Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the king’s official birthday. The parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
"The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony."
How to watch Trooping the Colour
Many Royal fans choose to visit the capital themselves to see the parade in person, with thousands of people lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the spectacular display. For those who prefer to stay out of London, Trooping the Colour is usually televised by the BBC with coverage lasting a couple of hours.
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