How old is King Charles? Why monarchs celebrate two birthdays and when the King was born
Britain’s armed forces put on a show on Saturday as part of Trooping the Colour.
The ceremony takes place every June and it is a celebration of the monarch’s birthday.
Of course, not every monarch has been born in June, however, so how does it work?
How old is King Charles?
King Charles is 74 years of age. His actual birthday is on 14 November.
The occasion of his first birthday as monarch was marked by the Band of the Household Cavalry performing “Happy Birthday” during Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and gun salutes being fired across London.
However, the convention of an official monarch’s birthday has been in place since 1748, during the reign of King George II. Like Charles, George’s birthday fell in November, but he decided to change it to mark the occasion with a large-scale public celebration during the warmer months.
He made the decision to combine his celebration with Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade in the summer.
The late Queen initially marked her “official” birthday on the second Thursday of June, the same day as her father, King George VI. However, she changed it to the second Saturday of June in 1959, seven years into her reign.
King Charles III has decided to stick with the same convention for his official celebration.
What is Trooping the Colour?
It is a military ceremony that has been held to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. It is always on the second Saturday in June, meaning this year it is on 17 June.
The parade features more than 1,400 military personnel riding and marching through central London, together with 200 horses and more than 400 musicians from 10 bands.
The route runs from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
During the ceremony, The King is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical “troop”, a flag known as the Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks. This is how the parade got its name.
The Household Division explains: “The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, and the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past. The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to the barracks. His Majesty then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.”
In years gone by, the late Queen would attend on horseback herself, but in her later years, she rode along in a carriage. King Charles is expected to return to the tradition of joining the parade.
Buckingham Palace said: “His Majesty King Charles III will hold the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiments of Household Division.
“The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years. 2023 will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour as Sovereign.”
