King Charles Leads Trooping Colour with Princess Kate, Excludes Harry

The Trooping the Colour ceremony, held annually in June to celebrate King Charles's official birthday, combines centuries-old military pageantry with symbolic displays of royal unity. King Charles, undergoing cancer treatment, participated in the event by riding in a state carriage rather than horseback, while senior royals including Princess Kate and her children took prominent roles. Princess Kate's choice of a white dress, subtly refashioned and previously worn, symbolized purity, diplomacy, and sustainability, reinforcing her image as a relatable and responsible royal, with Duchess Sophie showing support through a vibrant yellow dress. The event also included a minute's silence and black armbands to honor the victims of the recent Air India plane crash. Notably, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were again absent as only working royals were invited, continuing the palace's stance following their 2020 resignation from official duties. The ceremony concluded with the royal family appearing on Buckingham Palace's balcony to watch the traditional RAF flypast, showcasing a carefully curated visual narrative of unity and tradition.