Millions of Brits will be sighing with relief as it was revealed the King’s progress in the fight against cancer means he will return to “public facing duties”, seemingly confirming this year’s Trooping the Colour.
Every year, the streets of London are lined with Royal fans waving flags for the popular event, which features 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. This year’s event, due to be held on June 15, was thrown into doubt with the shock confirmation of the King’s health in February. But in an update Buckingham Palace confirmed his medical team are “encouraged” by his progress. As a result he is returning to duties, although they may be adapted.
A palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King’s continued recovery. His Majesty’s treatment programme will continue, but doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties.
“His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis.” They added forthcoming events will be adapted “to minimise any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.”
A new portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla for to mark the first anniversary of their Coronation (
PA)
For more than 260 years, Trooping the Colour has been held to celebrate the sovereign’s official birthday. Tens of thousands of people line the streets as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, alongside the Royal Family, who are on horseback and in carriages. It ends with a spectacular fly-past by the RAF who watched in awe from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
There had been fears the popular event might have to be cancelled for the first time since 1955, when there was a National Rail strike. Before that it was cancelled in 1926, from 1940 to 1946 because of the Second World War and in 1948 thanks to the weather.
Each year, more than 250,000 people apply for a place in the ballot for one of the 8,000 seats in the stands around the parade square.
The VBritish Army says of the event: “Everyone who takes part glows when they recall their first Trooping the Colour. It brings back memories of personal pride and satisfaction, it’s a genuine career highlight.
The Royal Family during last year’s Trooping the Colour (
Getty Images)
“Yet delivering The King’s Birthday Parade is considered one of the most challenging things a soldier can do in their career, and many experienced soldiers say frontline combat operations are easier than performing on what is essentially a global stage where every minor flaw is all too visible and there’s nowhere to hide.
“But nothing can beat the feeling of marching immaculately in front of the Monarch, the Colonel in Chief; families and friends in the stands; and the world watching on TV.”
Last year, the King was the first monarch in more than 30 years to take part in Trooping the Colour on horseback. Charles took the royal salute as Colonel in Chief of the Household Division’s seven regiments during the ceremony, staged on Horse Guards Parade, as members of the royal family and 8,000 spectators watched. However, Prince Louis stole the show as he saluted the crowd during the RAF flypast on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
