King Charles’ Birthday Celebration
The royal family marked King Charles’ birthday in London this Saturday with the annual Trooping the Colour event.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, and their three kids—Prince George, 11, Prince Louis, 10, and Princess Charlotte—showed up to celebrate Charles, who is now 76, for the third consecutive year.
The Princess of Wales, 43, donned a striking sky blue coat dress by Catherine Walker, described as a deep aquamarine wool coat with ivory lapels and cuffs. It certainly made an impression against the backdrop of the ceremony.
Kate styled her hair elegantly under a floral hat, while Princess Charlotte sported a half braid, looking lovely in blue. Adding to the sentiment, Charlotte wore a diamond horseshoe brooch—an heirloom from the late Queen Elizabeth—which she had also showcased at the late monarch’s funeral in September 2022.
As the parade got underway, the mother and daughter rode in a carriage flanked by George and Louis, while Prince William, 42, chose to ride on horseback. Notably, King Charles and Queen Camilla rode together in a carriage as well.
This event takes place each June to officially celebrate the British sovereign’s birthday and is recognized as one of the royal family’s hallmark festivities.
More than 1,400 soldiers, horses, and musicians gathered at the Horse Guard Parade in London to honor their leader. The procession went from Buckingham Palace down the Mall, culminating with Charles, Queen Camilla, and other active royals watching a flypast from the palace balcony. Prince Louis, as the family returned, turned to wave at the crowd, a delightful moment for onlookers.
This year, however, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were conspicuously absent, not having attended the Trooping the Colour for three years running. Their ongoing distance from the royal family continues to be a talking point. The couple last joined the festivities during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Military Parade in 2022, after which they stepped back from royal duties and moved to California.
According to sources, post-Queen Elizabeth’s passing, Harry and Meghan’s presence at royal events like this has diminished significantly. An insider noted that this year’s absence has been particularly highlighted, stressing that the palace seems to be intentional about not inviting them at all. Some had speculated that despite being overseas, they might still receive an invitation to such events.
In reflecting upon the couple’s past attendance, one commentator mentioned the royal family’s desire to showcase opportunities for them during their tenure, but now, the lack of invitation holds a certain weight in the ongoing narrative surrounding their relationship with the royal family.
