The Prince of Wales takes on a different role than Princess Kate and their children during the King's annual birthday parade
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Prince William rode on horseback during Trooping the Colour 2026
- The Prince of Wales was one of a few royals to participate in the King’s birthday parade on horseback
- He wore his bright red Welsh Guards uniform as he joined other members of the royal family in celebrating King Charles
Prince William is back in the saddle.
The Prince of Wales, 43, joined other members of the royal family at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, June 13.
The celebration, in which the British armed forces celebrate the birthday of King Charles, 77, is attended by all the senior working royals.
Prince William, who rides on horseback during Trooping the Colour in his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, wore the regiment's ceremonial uniform, a reflection of his position as Prince of Wales. His bright red tunic was paired with a bearskin hat, Garter sash and ceremonial sword.
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Meanwhile, his wife Kate Middleton, 44, and their children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, took part in the parade in a carriage.
Prince William originally held the position of Colonel of the Irish Guards, but he was made the ceremonial head of the Welsh Guards by his father soon after the late Queen Elizabeth died in Sept. 2022. Princess Kate is now Colonel of the Irish Guards.
Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
The day began with a procession on horseback and carriage down the famous red Mall that stretches from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. After a short turn, towards the end of the Mall, the royals and the army congregate on Horse Guards Parade.
After the ceremony, it is a march back up the Mall to the palace and, after a brief interlude, the royals will gather around King Charles on the palace balcony to watch the display of the Royal Air Force flypast. That culminates in the spectacular demonstration from the Red Arrows display team with their red, white and blue jet trails.
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
The annual parade came at an opportune time as the royals have a lot to celebrate. A week after King Charles witnessed his nephew Peter Phillips get married for a second time, he is riding a more positive wave following his successful trip with Queen Camilla, 78, to Washington D.C., New York City and Virginia in April, particularly his widely well-received address to Congress.
That followed the negativity that has swirled around the royal family in the months since more than three million Jeffrey Epstein files were released in January, which brought more questions about the conduct of the King's brother, the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles and honors in October 2025 over his links with Epstein, but the newly-released files and the arrest of Andrew in February, over allegations of misconduct in public office, heightened the scrutiny once again. Andrew has not been charged and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
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It is the second Trooping the Colour since King Charles and Princess Kate announced their cancer diagnoses in early 2024. Kate announced in January 2025 that she is in remission, while the monarch is still being treated for an undisclosed cancer.
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