Trooping the Colour dates all the way back to the 17th century and was originally intended to show off the regiment's flag to the soldiers so they'd recognise it on the battlefield. These days it's held to mark the monarch's official birthday (King Charles' actual birthday is on the 14th November).
Parade on the Mall and ceremony on Horse Guards
Soldiers will start marching down the Mall from 10.20 AM, followed by members of the Royal Family riding on horseback or travelling in State coaches. Bear in mind that you need to get there a couple of hours early if you want to grab yourself a spot at the front, because the crowds along the Mall can easily grow up to 10-people deep.
Photo: householddivision.org.ukHis Majesty King Charles III would usually ride down the Mall on horseback, but given his current medical condition it's possible he might choose to ride in a carriage instead.
Shortly before 11 AM the King will reach Horse Guards and be played the National Anthem. For the next hour he’ll sit there watching a ceremonial parade involving over 1,350 soldiers from the Household Division and King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, accompanied by 300 musicians from the Massed Bands.
Photo: kbp.army.mod.ukApplying for a grandstand ticket
Tickets are hard to come by and if you want to try for a grandstand seat then you'll have to enter an online ballot during March. If you're successful then they'll send you your ticket (and a bill) in the post -- check their website for details.
If you miss out then you can try and snap up some of the standing tickets which go on sale immediately after the ballot closes.
Where's the best place to stand?
We recommend depositing yourself on the bend before Admiralty Arch as it curves round towards the parade ground... that way you'll get a great view of the soldiers marching down the Mall while still being able to hear all the military music playing on Horse Guards.
If you arrive early enough then you might be able to grab a spot on the eastern edge of St. James's Park instead.
Lots of people will try and stand as close as possible to Buckingham Palace so they can get a good view of the Royal Family when they come out on the balcony. But if you do that then make sure you stand at the top end of the Mall, and not on the actual roundabout by the Queen Victoria Memorial. That's because the police usually release the crowds standing in the Mall before they release the ones on the roundabout, meaning they will be able to rush up and fill the space in front of the palace before you.
One advantage of standing as close as possible to the palace is that you'll get to see the King inspecting the troops at around 12.25 PM as they pass in front of the main gate -- you won't be able to see that from the Mall.
Gun salute and balcony appearance
King Charles will then disappear inside the palace and at 12.52 PM there will be a gun salute in Green Park.
Shortly before 1 PM the King will re-appear on the balcony with Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family to watch the RAF flypast.
The flypast will end with the Red Arrows trailing red, white and blue smoke over Buckingham Palace.
Is there a dress code?
If you're sitting in Horse Guards then you should dress for a wedding -- morning dress, lounge suit or jacket and tie for the men, and equivalent for the ladies. Denim, shorts and sandals are definitely not allowed, and anybody wearing them will be refused entry.
Military personnel are permitted to wear their medals with a Ceremonial Day uniform.
Major General's and Colonel's Review
If you don't fancy the huge crowds then you might prefer to attend one of the two rehearsals instead. The first one is called the Major General's Review and takes place two weeks before. The Colonel's Review is held one week before.
If you enjoy Horse Guards then you might like to visit Downing Street (you can walk it in less than 3 mins) and Parliament Square (you can walk it in 6 mins)
