King to join birthday parade on horseback this weekend

It will be the first time the reigning monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour since 1986.

The King will join the first birthday parade of his reign on horseback, marking the first time in more than 30 years that a monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour.

Charles will take the salute as Colonel in Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division at the Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade on Saturday.

It will be the first time the reigning monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour since 1986 when Queen Elizabeth II last rode.

Burmese was the Queen’s favourite steed for Trooping and ceremonial occasions – and in 2020 the equestrian-loving monarch picked the black mare as one of her favourite horses of all time for a list for Horse & Hound magazine.

She used Burmese, which was a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, for 18 years from 1969 to 1986 until the animal was moved to Windsor for retirement.

The Queen then decided that, rather than train another charger for the ceremony, she would in future be driven in a carriage.

On Saturday, the parade will move from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the King will be greeted by a royal salute and will carry out an inspection of the military on parade.

Charles will be joined by the Queen and members of the royal family to view the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Troop their Colour.

This weekend will be the first time the reigning monarch has ridden at Trooping the Colour since 1986 (PA Wire)

The Sovereign’s Escort will be provided by The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals.

After the parade, the King, accompanied by Camilla and other family members, will return to Buckingham Palace for the march-past and the fly-past, which will conclude the day’s celebrations.

The annual event of Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the Sovereign for more than 260 years.

The Prince of Wales reviewed his troops on horseback on Saturday as at least three soldiers fainted in sweltering London temperatures.

Thousands gathered at Horse Guards Parade to witness The Colonel’s Review ahead of Trooping the Colour this weekend.

The ceremony involved hundreds of horses and soldiers carrying out complex battlefield drill manoeuvres to military music.

But with temperatures reaching 28C, the baking heat proved too much for some, and the prince later tweeted his thanks to those who had taken part.

At least three soldiers fainted and were taken off on stretchers while two more were helped off the parade ground.

With additional reporting from Press Association.