Princess Charlotte, 10, paid a touching tribute to her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at the 2025 Trooping the Colour parade. She wore a light blue dress and the same diamond horseshoe brooch gifted to her by the Queen—first worn at the monarch’s funeral in 2022. The brooch, symbolizing the Queen’s love of horses, once belonged to the Queen Mother and was originally given to her by Queen Mary.

Charlotte and her mother, the Princess of Wales, wore coordinated blue outfits, with Kate in a coat dress by Catherine Walker and a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill. Kate also paid tribute to the Queen with her jewelry, wearing the Irish Guards brooch and the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings.

The event drew large crowds, with fans lining the Mall, some holding life-size cutouts of the royals. Excitement was especially high for the appearance of the Wales family: Prince William, Kate, and their three children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—who are often crowd favorites.

Royal Balcony Appearance and Ceremony Details

After the parade, the Royal Family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the RAF flypast. King Charles and Queen Camilla were at the center, joined by senior royals including Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, and their daughter Lady Louise. As expected, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew were absent due to their current non-working royal status.

The King, currently undergoing cancer treatment, rode in a carriage instead of on horseback, marking a shift from tradition. This follows his final ride in 2023, where his horse Noble showed signs of unease. Princess Anne, recently recovered from a horse-related injury, returned to ride in her ceremonial role.

What Is Trooping the Colour?

Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old ceremony celebrating the British monarch’s official birthday. Over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians take part in a grand military parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back.

The Sovereign receives a royal salute, inspects the troops, and watches as the regimental Colour (flag) is trooped through the ranks. The ceremony ends with a Royal Air Force flypast and a 41-gun salute.

Despite his health challenges, King Charles continued the tradition with support from his family, while the younger generation—especially Princess Charlotte—stood out for their poise and tributes to the Queen’s legacy.