Sat Jun 14 08:50:00 UTC 2025: **King Charles III Celebrates Official Birthday with Trooping the Colour Parade**
London – King Charles III is marking his official birthday today with the annual Trooping the Colour parade in central London. The event, a tradition spanning over 260 years, features a military parade, musical performances, a gun salute, and a Royal Air Force (RAF) flypast.
Thousands are gathering along the Mall near Buckingham Palace to witness the spectacle, which began at 10:30 BST at Horse Guards Parade. The parade route proceeds along the Mall before returning. The RAF flypast, a highlight where the Royal Family traditionally appears on the Buckingham Palace balcony, is scheduled for 13:00 BST.
Adding a somber note to the celebrations, King Charles has requested that participating members of the Royal Family wear black armbands as a mark of respect for the victims of the recent Air India plane crash. A minute’s silence will be observed following the King’s inspection of the parade.
Notably, the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance of 2024 after her cancer diagnosis at last year’s Trooping the Colour. While the attention on her health has decreased, King Charles, who is still receiving cancer treatment, will travel in a carriage, as he did last year.
Not all attendees are celebrating the monarchy. A group of republican protesters has positioned themselves along the Mall, displaying yellow flags and signs advocating for the abolition of the monarchy.
The BBC is providing live coverage of the event, presented by Clare Balding, with royal correspondent Sean Coughlan reporting live from the Mall.
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