With King Charles III's coronation just around the corner, many Brits have royal celebrations on the brain right now. And it's got many wondering if our new monarch will follow in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when it comes to the number of birthdays he'll be celebrating each year.
Having celebrated his 74th birthday on November 14, 2022, it seems that King Charles will continue the 250-year tradition of having a second birthday in the summer. The Queen's actual birth date was in April, but her 'official' celebration fell on the second Saturday in June, The Mirror reported last year.
Traditionally, the monarch's 'official' birthday is marked with a Trooping the Colour parade in central London, a pastime that was first introduced back in 1748. King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910, decided to move the parade to June as, with his birthday also in November, he believed that a June celebration would provide better weather for the occasion.
Read more: Queen Consort Camilla could ditch traditional ivory sceptre for Coronation
When it gets to Prince William's turn on the throne, the tradition of two birthdays may come to an end for some time, as his birthday already falls in June. While his son, Prince George, is also a summer baby and so the tradition may in fact 'disappear' for some decades more.
It's worth noting that King Charles has not officially confirmed whether he'll be continuing the tradition for years to come, though as it has been in his family for 250 years, it's likely he will. The Trooping the Colour spectacle draws huge crowds to the capital every year.
And, according to the British Army's website (where you can apply for tickets), this year's events will be 'reviewed' or attended by His Majesty the King, as well as Prince William, now the Prince of Wales. Three Trooping the Colour events are listed on the site - dated Saturday, June 3, 2023, Saturday, June 10, 2023 and Saturday, June 17 - with the latter being 'reviewed' by the King.
The Army's official information states: "His Majesty’s actual birthday is November 14. The Sovereign’s official birthday is marked by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour, which this year falls on June 17, 2023, six weeks after The King’s Coronation.
"2023 will mark the first King's Birthday Parade for 72 years. The last King’s Birthday Parade (for King George VI) was conducted in 1951 and attended by The Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II); the last Sovereign’s Birthday Parade physically attended by a King of England (King George VI) was in 1950."
Read next:
- Kate Middleton made 'touching sacrifice' in bid to ease tension with “upset” Meghan and Harry
- King Charles Coronation: Two major chocolate chains unite to create the perfect treat
- M&S shoppers race to buy new LIMITED EDITION Coronation food box
- Harry and Meghan evicted from Frogmore as Andrew offered the keys, according to royal insider
