Trooping the Colour route map: Where are the best spots and timings to see King Charles’ birthday parade around London?

These years Entering the color ceremony will take place on Saturday with King Charles III went to observe the event from a carriage.

Buckingham Palace has had to cancel and revise dozens of upcoming royal appointments as a result of the General election but the official celebration of the sovereign’s birthday has fortunately remained unaffected.

Trooping the Color dates back to the 17th century and is one of the largest military ceremonial events of the year, involving more than 1,200 soldiers and musicians and more than 200 horses.

Queen Elizabeth II attended every ceremony during her rain except 1955, when the event was canceled due to a national railroad strike. A limited ceremony took place in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A map of where Trooping the Color will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024

King Charles III (dressed in his Welsh Guards uniform) watches an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color on June 17, 2023 in London

This year’s Trooping the Color ceremony will take place on Saturday, with King Charles III observing the event from a carriage (Photo: Charles and Camilla leaving Buckingham Palace by carriage for Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 for his coronation)

Last June, the king became the first monarch since the late queen in 1986 to saddle up for the parade, but the animal’s behavior came under scrutiny.

Noble, a black mare given to Charles by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police when he became king, had difficulty adapting to the environment and a groom had to step forward to help steady the horse.

What is the Trooping the Color route?

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until approximately 1 p.m., the route is as follows:

• The King will travel through The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

• Once the Horse Guards clock strikes 11am, the King will arrive to deliver the royal salute from the officers and men of the Household Division.

• After the salute, the King will go up and down the ranks to inspect the troops.

• The bands will then perform a musical ‘troop’ and the Regimental Color will be escorted through the ranks of the Guards.

• The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march with their guns past His Majesty, The King’s Troop and Royal Horse Artillery.

King Charles III saluted as he left Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color ceremony during the Horse Guards Parade in central London, as he celebrated his first official birthday since becoming sovereign on June 17, 2023.

Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales watch an RAF flyover from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color on June 17, 2023 in London

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage during the Trooping the Color parade on June 9, 2018 in London

• The King will return to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before saluting in front of the palace railings as troops march past on their way to their barracks.
• The ceremony ends at 12.25 pm.

• The king will join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a Royal Air Force flypast around 1 p.m.

Best places to watch Trooping the Color

With tickets now sold out, royal fans will have to head to public viewing points along the route if they want to catch a glimpse of the grandeur.

The best spots are spread along the Mall and at St James’s Park, although those wishing to watch from the park are advised to head to the north-west side for the clearest view.

The north and east sides of the green space should also provide good vantage points overlooking Horse Guards Parade.

There will be plenty of good spots to witness the procession on the Mall, but the north side is the best choice to ensure a clear view.

However, the Household Division has advised potential spectators that troops may limit visibility from these vantage points.

The public is advised to set up shop around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins to secure the best spot, but will likely still be able to find a decent spot around 11am.

Wait until noon and you will see several members of the Royal Family passing by in their carriages.

Once you reach The Mall, try to find a spot about three-quarters of the way up, near the barricades, which open after The King has passed.

The Red Arrows flew over Buckingham Palace during last year’s flypast. Royal fans are advised to walk to Buckingham Palace and arrive before 1pm. If the air show starts before you get there, you can stay put and watch it

The best spots are spread along the Mall and at St James’s Park, although those wishing to view from the park are advised to head to the north-west side for the clearest view (photo: The Colonel’s Review rehearsal of Trooping the Color on 8 June)

The public is advised to set up shop around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins to secure the best spot, but will likely still be able to find a decent spot around 11am.

Enjoy the ceremony and wait for the police to open the barricades to walk to the palace.

Walk to Buckingham Palace and try to get there before 1pm. If the air show starts before you get there, you can stay put and watch it.

But if you still want to catch a glimpse of the royals on their balcony, hurry to catch them because they might be heading inside soon.