Buckingham Palace has confirmed that a scaled-back version of Trooping the Colour will go ahead on June 13 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday. The event usually sees members of the British and Commonwealth armies parade for inspection. Though, in more recent years, it has been an opportunity for the queen’s extended family to come together publicly for the celebration and grand parade that starts at Buckingham Palace before heading down The Mall.
The 2020 Trooping the Colour was canceled in March, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying: “In line with Government advice, it has been agreed that the Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead in its traditional form. A number of other options are being considered, in line with relevant guidance.” This is the first time the event has been canceled since 1955, which was due to a national rail strike.
Buckingham Palace has now confirmed that a military salute will instead take place at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip have been self-isolating since March. “There will be a small, brief military ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark The Queen’s official birthday,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman told People. There are no firm details yet on what time the ceremony will take place — or whether family members like Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, or their children will be in attendance — but as soon as we know more, you will, too.