Trooping the Colour 2024: Can you still get tickets, where are the best viewing spots and is there a specific dress code?
These years Storming 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.
The monarch usually drives via The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to inspect the troops.
The monarch then rides back to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance with the wider one Royal family and fly along the RAF.
Members of the Royal Family are pictured watching an RAF flyover from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color on June 17, 2023 in London. The official celebration of the sovereign’s birthday has fortunately not been affected by the general election
King Charles III is pictured saluting as he leaves Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color ceremony during the Horse Guards Parade, central London on June 17, 2023
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)
Can you still get tickets for Trooping the Color 2024?
Tickets for this year’s big event are unfortunately sold out, but you can still head to one of the nearby public viewing points to watch the big ceremony.
Each year, members of the public are invited to request tickets via ballot to watch the show from a seated stand.
Tickets cost £30 and are limited to just four per person, but the ticket office is now closed.
Where are the best viewing spots?
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 Horseguard’s 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.
Queen Elizabeth II photographs Buckingham Palace in a carriage during the Trooping the Color parade on June 9, 2018 in London
Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales are pictured watching an RAF fly pass from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Color on 17 June 2023 in London
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 in St James’s Park (photo: The Colonel’s Review rehearsal of Trooping the Color on June 8)
However, the Household Division has advised potential spectators that troops may limit visibility from these vantage points.
The public is advised to arrive around 9am or earlier before the ceremony begins to secure the best spot.
Is there a specific dress code for the event?
Those lucky enough to have secured a seat in the stands with tickets for this year’s celebration of the King’s official birthday will need to be aware of the strict dress code.
The strict rules for the ceremony mean that spectators must wear morning clothes.
There is no dress code for those who want to view the event from one of the public viewing points.
