Queen Elizabeth II
“Trooping the Color” salute without the Queen for the first time
Queen Elizabeth II at the Trooping the Color salute last year.
© imago/Starface
Queen Elizabeth will not receive the Trooping the Color salute for the first time in 70 years. family members take over.
Queen Elizabeth II (96) will not accept the “Trooping the Color” salute for the first time in 70 years. Prince Charles (73), Prince William (39) and Princess Anne (72) will represent her in the parade as Colonels of the Welsh Guards, Irish Guards and Blues and Royals. This is reported by the “Sunday Times”. The ceremony usually features Her Majesty’s personal troops as part of the Horse Guards Parade.
It is hoped the 96-year-old Queen, who is suffering from “episodic mobility issues,” will attend part of what is her official birthday parade on June 2. “Trooping the Color” kicks off four days of national celebrations to mark her platinum anniversary, but the ceremony is being altered to reflect her well-being.
Planned appearance on the balcony
According to the report, Palace officials are considering the possibility of Her Majesty arriving in a carriage from Buckingham Palace for a brief inspection of the troops before appearing on the balcony. Alternatively, Her Majesty could only appear on the balcony after the ceremony.
After “Trooping the Color” some family members will be on the balcony: The Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla (74), William and Kate (40) with their three children, Prince Edward (58) with his family, Princess Anne and her Mann as well as the Duke of Kent (86) and Princess Alexandra (85) and the Duke (77) and Duchess of Gloucester (75).
Prince Harry (37) and Duchess Meghan (40), Prince Andrew (62) and his daughters will not join the royal family there. Harry, Meghan and their children will be attending the celebrations, but it’s unknown which elements of the four-day anniversary weekend they’ll be making an appearance at.
Often the focal point of major royal occasions such as Trooping the Color and weddings, the balcony appearance typically sees the Queen’s extended family gathering to witness an air show, and fans have the rare opportunity to see the entire extended family to see together.
Selected events
Earlier this month, Her Majesty missed the opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years, prompting Prince Charles and Prince William to co-chair the event on behalf of the Queen.
However, she has attended three public events this month, including the Windsor Horse Show, the Windsor Platinum Jubilee Celebration and the opening of the Elizabeth Tube line. At events alone, she was in a good mood.