The Royal Family's Best Trooping the Colour Moments Over the Years

Full of historic events, chic ensembles, and cheeky faces.

When June rolls around, we're rewarded with long-awaited warmer temperatures, relaxing beach days, and, of course, the annual royal tradition of Trooping the Colour. The ceremony, which takes place on Horse Guards Parade in London, celebrates the official birthday of the British sovereign, an event that was first performed in 1748 during King Charles II's reign and became an annual event in 1760.

Among many traditions, Trooping the Colour includes a procession, a royal salute, a marching band performance, and a Royal Air Force flypast, which the royal family famously watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. While the program of events typically remains the same from year to year, surprise appearances and cameos from the royal kids (and their often hilarious facial expressions) have kept fans on their toes. Not to mention, history has been made, fabulous outfits have been worn, and baby bumps have been displayed all on the storied terrace. Ahead, we rounded up the royal family's best Trooping the Colour moments over the years.

Related: Will Kate Middleton and Prince William's Kids Attend Trooping the Colour?

1952

Queen Elizabeth II rode in the parade on horseback and took the salute for her first Trooping the Colour as monarch on June 5, 1952. Her father, King George VI, died a couple months earlier on February 6, 1952.

1954

Elizabeth waved to the crowd, accompanied by her first two children, a then-Prince Charles and Princess Anne on June 10, 1954. Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip also joined his wife and children on the balcony.

1957

Elizabeth, Anne, Philip, and Charles waved from the balcony on June 13, 1957. Also present was Elizabeth's younger sister, Princess Margaret.

1964

Elizabeth and Philip's youngest sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, had their moment on June 13, 1964. The four royals waved, with the couple dressed in their traditional red uniforms and the boys twinning in cream-colored outfits.

1968

It was a day for pastels and fun hats—namely the Queen Mother's green-and-pink floral headpiece—on June 8, 1968. The royal family watched the parade from the balcony dressed in their Saturday best.

1982

Diana made her Trooping the Colour debut dressed in head to toe emerald green and with her baby bump on display on June 12, 1982. Prince William was born just nine days after.

1984

One year later, on June 16, 1984, William made his first appearance at the parade. He and Diana adorably coordinated in baby blue.

1985

It was all eyes on the full Wales family on June 15, 1985, as Harry made his debut in his father's arms. The royal family looked on with big smiles—except for a squinty William.

1987

Elizabeth transitioned from riding on horseback to riding in a carriage through the parade on June 13, 1987.

1988

June 11, 1988, saw another instance of stylish mother-son dressing, this time from Diana and Harry, who appeared to be feeling silly that day.

1989

It was all smiles again from Margaret, Diana, and Elizabeth on June 17, 1989. In front of them, William and Harry waved while donning blue and red ties.

1991

The royal family took in the flyover on June 15, 1991. Diana looked radiant and regal in a gold-and-navy suit jacket and coordinating hat.

2003

Harry and William looked all grown up on June 14, 2003, as they accompanied their grandmother on the balcony.

2005

Queen Consort Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, attended her first Trooping the Colour on the balcony on June 11, 2005. She and Charles wed a couple months earlier, on April 9, 2005.

2007

Andrew and his youngest daughter, Princess Eugenie, attended the ceremony, alongside William, Camilla, Charles, Philip, and, of course, the woman of the hour, Elizabeth, who looked joyful in green.

2008

The following year, Elizabeth followed up her lime green ensemble with a Skittles-blue on June 14, 2008. William and Harry looked even more grown up and distinguished in their military uniforms.

2011

Princess Kate made her long-awaited debut on June 11, 2011, in a crisp white coat dress and black fascinator. She and William married a month and a half prior, on April 29, 2011.

2013

In her late mother-in-law's likeness, Kate showed off her baby bump on June 15, 2013—just one month before her and William's first child, Prince George, was born on July 22, 2013.

2015

George stole the show during his first Trooping the Colour on June 13, 2015, by adorably pointing out into the sky during the parade. His baby sister, Princess Charlotte, was born a month prior, on May 2, 2015.

2016

June 11, 2016, marked Charlotte's inaugural Trooping the Colour, during which she matched with her mom and brother in light-colored ensembles. Elizabeth returned to green this year, this time in an even brighter shade.

2017

It was once again a full family affair on June 17, 2017.

2018

Harry's wife, American actress Meghan Markle, made her Trooping the Colour debut on June 9, 2018, less than a month after the two tied the knot. She looked elegant in a muted-pink, off-the-shoulder skirt suit.

2019

June 8, 2019, saw a full royal house with Prince Louis attending his first Trooping the Colour. The year also marked Harry and Meghan's last, as they stepped down as senior royals the following January.

2022

Elizabeth attended her last Trooping the Colour on June 2, 2022, to celebrate her 96th birthday. She died three months later, on September 8, 2022.

2023

Charles celebrated his birthday (despite being born on November 14, 1948) and first Trooping the Colour as monarch on June 17, 2023. All three of Kate and William's kids were in attendance, and Louis's adorable facial expressions stole the show.

2024

Kate Middleton made her first appearance of 2024 at this rainy Trooping the Colour after her cancer diagnosis in March of that year. Her children also made their first joint appearance of the year at the event. Charles played a pared down role in the parade as he underwent his own cancer treatment. The family waved to the crowed from the balcony as the sun came out for the traditional flypast.

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