Trooping the Colour, officially the King's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony held on a Saturday in June to mark the monarch's official birthday: over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians parade from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, and the day ends with an RAF flypast over the palace. Watching from The Mall is free; seats in the grandstands are allocated by ballot.
The ceremony is one of the great set pieces of British royal pageantry. Soldiers of the Household Division in red tunics and bearskin hats march and perform drill in front of the King, mounted troops ride past, and members of the Royal Family travel in carriages or on horseback. Crowds line The Mall with flags, and the whole event is broadcast live by the BBC.
The date for 2027 had not been announced in September 2026, but the pattern is well established. There are also two full rehearsals on the Saturdays before, which are easier and cheaper to see. This guide explains what happens, where to stand, how the tickets for the stands work and how to plan the day.
Trooping the Colour: the essentials
- When
- A Saturday in June; the 2027 date is not yet announced
- Where
- Horse Guards Parade, with the procession along The Mall from Buckingham Palace
- Events start
- About 10.20am; public advised to be in place from 9am
- RAF flypast
- 1pm, on the day of the King's Birthday Parade only
- Rehearsals
- Major General's Review (about two weeks before) and Colonel's Review (about one week before)
- Grandstand tickets
- £30 for the parade (by ballot, up to 4); £15 Colonel's Review; £10 Major General's Review
- Free viewing
- The Mall and the edge of St James's Park
Why the King has an official birthday
British monarchs have two birthdays: their real one and an official one, celebrated in summer when the weather is more likely to suit an outdoor parade. King Charles III was born in November, so his public celebration takes place in June. According to the Royal Family's website, Trooping the Colour has marked the sovereign's official birthday for over 260 years.
The name comes from an old military practice. A regiment's "Colour" is its flag, and in the past it was carried ("trooped") slowly along the ranks so that every soldier would recognise it and know where to gather in the confusion of battle. Today the ceremony keeps that tradition alive as a display of drill, music and horsemanship by the King's personal troops, the Household Division.
What happens during the parade
The Household Division, which organises the event, describes the order of the day like this:
- The procession travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, with members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
- The King is greeted with a Royal Salute on Horse Guards Parade, while The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fires a 41-gun salute in Green Park.
- The King inspects the troops.
- The Massed Bands of the Foot Guards perform, and then the escorted Colour is carried through the ranks of the Foot Guards.
- The Foot Guards march past the King in slow and quick time, followed by The King's Troop and the Household Cavalry's Sovereign's Escort, riding past at the walk and the trot.
- The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards and takes a further salute from the Centre Gate of the palace.
- The Royal Family gathers on the palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
The numbers are impressive: over 1,400 officers and soldiers, 200 horses and more than 400 musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums, all following some 113 words of command given by the officer in charge of the parade. If you enjoy this, you will also enjoy the smaller daily ceremony described in our guide to Changing of the Guard.
The route and the best free viewing spots
The parade route runs from Buckingham Palace along The Mall, the wide, tree-lined avenue that leads towards Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square, then turns onto Horse Guards Parade, the large open parade ground between Whitehall and St James's Park. The procession returns the same way afterwards.
The Household Division advises members of the public to stand on The Mall, or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade, from 9am. It warns that the view from these positions may be partly blocked by troops. Its official map marks the best public viewing points.
| Where to stand | What you see | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| The Mall, near Buckingham Palace | The procession, the return of the King and, afterwards, the balcony and flypast | The most crowded area; arrive very early |
| The Mall, towards Admiralty Arch | The procession passing in both directions | A little more space; no view of the ceremony itself |
| Edge of St James's Park by Horse Guards | Part of the ceremony on the parade ground | View may be partly obscured by troops |
| Grandstand seats (ticket) | The full ceremony on Horse Guards Parade | Ballot for the parade; formal dress code |
From The Mall you mostly see the procession rather than the ceremony on the parade ground. Many people choose one good spot on The Mall for the procession, then move towards the palace for the balcony and flypast at 1pm. Our guide to St James's Park and Green Park will help you find your way around the area.
The flypast can be seen without a front-row place. The aircraft fly over Buckingham Palace at 1pm, so even if you are several rows back on The Mall or in Green Park you will see them. You need a spot near the palace railings only if you also want a clear view of the Royal Family on the balcony.
How tickets for the stands work
Seats in the grandstands around Horse Guards Parade are the only way to see the whole ceremony. They are sold through the official ticket website of the King's Birthday Parade, kbp.army.mod.uk, linked from the Household Division's Trooping the Colour page. In 2026 the arrangements were:
- King's Birthday Parade: tickets allocated by ballot; you can apply for a maximum of four. Price £30 each.
- Colonel's Review: tickets on general sale. Price £15 each.
- Major General's Review: tickets on general sale. Price £10 each.
For a family of four, that means £120 for the parade itself if you win the ballot, £60 for the Colonel's Review or £40 for the Major General's Review. The ticket website said in September 2026 that the events were over for the year; the dates, ballot and sales for 2027 will be published there. We cannot give an opening date for the ballot, so check the site early in the year.
Grandstand guests must follow a dress code. For the King's Birthday Parade, the Household Division asks for morning dress or a lounge suit for men and the equivalent for women, and strictly no denim, shorts or sandals. The Colonel's Review also requires a lounge suit or jacket and tie. People who do not comply can be refused entry, and umbrellas and parasols are not allowed in the stands.
The rehearsals: an easier way to see it
The full parade is performed three times on consecutive Saturdays. The Major General's Review usually takes place two weeks before the King's Birthday Parade, and the Colonel's Review one week before. In 2026 the three events were held on 30 May, 6 June and 13 June, each starting at 10am on Horse Guards Parade.
The rehearsals are full performances of the same parade, with the troops, horses and music, but there is no flypast, and only the King's Birthday Parade itself is held in the presence of the King. For visitors they have clear advantages: grandstand tickets are cheaper and on open sale, crowds on The Mall are usually smaller, and the dress code at the Major General's Review is simply "encouraged to dress smartly". If you are in London in late May or early June, one of the reviews may be the better choice. Our guides to London in May and London in June list other events you can combine with it.
Security and practical tips for the day
The Household Division says police search the personal belongings of everyone entering Horse Guards Parade for all three events, and knives, including penknives, and similar items are banned and may be confiscated. Along The Mall, expect barriers and a large police presence. Keep bags small to get through checks faster. Our advice on staying safe in crowds also applies here.
- Do not come by car. There is no parking or drop-off in Whitehall or the streets around Horse Guards on any of the three days, and vehicles are kept out of the area.
- Arrive early. The best places along The Mall fill up well before the 9am time the organisers suggest on the parade day.
- Prepare for sun and rain. June can be hot or wet. Bring water, sunscreen and a light waterproof layer; you will stand for several hours.
- Plan for toilets and food. Facilities are limited on the route, so use them before you arrive. Our map of public toilets in London helps.
- Bring children early. A spot at the barrier is easiest for small children to see from. Our family guide to London has more tips.
Getting there
Several Tube stations are within walking distance: Charing Cross and Embankment for Horse Guards and the Trafalgar Square end of The Mall, Westminster and St James's Park for the south side of Horse Guards Parade, and Green Park for the palace end. Expect crowds and possible temporary changes at stations near the route on the day, so check TfL before travelling and be ready to walk an extra stop. Our guide to using the London Underground explains fares and routes.
The area is also pleasant on foot. From Trafalgar Square you can walk through Admiralty Arch and along The Mall to the palace in about 15 to 20 minutes on a normal day. Afterwards, the streets of St James's and Mayfair have plenty of places to eat, and the Churchill War Rooms are right next to Horse Guards Parade if you want a museum for the afternoon.
Other royal and summer events nearby
June is one of the busiest months for events in London, so book your hotel early if your trip includes the parade. The Chelsea Flower Show takes place in May; in 2027 its public days are 20 to 22 May, and our Chelsea Flower Show guide explains tickets. Wimbledon starts on 28 June 2027; see our page on Wimbledon tickets and the Queue.
For more royal ceremony, the Changing the Guard also takes place at Windsor Castle, an easy day trip from London. Check the Household Division's calendar before you go, because the dates vary from month to month.
Frequently asked questions
When is Trooping the Colour in 2027?
The date for 2027 had not been announced in September 2026. The King's Birthday Parade always takes place on a Saturday in June, with two rehearsals on the Saturdays before it. The Household Division and the official ticket website publish the dates.
Can you watch Trooping the Colour for free?
Yes. Anyone can watch the procession from The Mall or from the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade, and the flypast at 1pm is visible from around Buckingham Palace. Only the grandstand seats on Horse Guards Parade need a ticket.
How do I get tickets for Trooping the Colour?
Grandstand seats for the King's Birthday Parade are allocated by ballot through the official site, kbp.army.mod.uk, with a maximum of four per application at £30 each (2026). Tickets for the Colonel's Review (£15) and the Major General's Review (£10) are sold directly.
What time is the RAF flypast at Trooping the Colour?
The flypast takes place at 1pm, and only on the day of the King's Birthday Parade, not at the rehearsals. The Royal Family watches it from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, so the best view is from The Mall near the palace.
What is the difference between the rehearsals and the real parade?
The Major General's Review and the Colonel's Review are full performances of the same parade on the two Saturdays before. Only the King's Birthday Parade is held in the presence of the King and ends with the RAF flypast, but the reviews are cheaper and usually less crowded.
Sources
- The Household Division - Trooping the Colour (checked September 2026)
- The Royal Family - What is Trooping the Colour? (checked September 2026)
- King's Birthday Parade - official ticket website (checked September 2026)
- The Household Division - Changing the Guard calendar (checked September 2026)
- RHS - Chelsea Flower Show (checked September 2026)
- Wimbledon - Ticket ballot (checked September 2026)