British parade to celebrate King Charles III's birthday

About 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and more than 200 horses were mobilized for the parade to celebrate the King of England's birthday.

King Charles III presided over the Trooping the Colour parade on June 17, marking his first birthday since his coronation. About 8,000 people flocked to the centre of the British capital to witness the annual royal ritual.

The horsemen and guards set off from Buckingham Palace, travelling more than a kilometre along The Mall to the Horse Guards Parade Ground. The 74-year-old king rode on horseback, followed by Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Queen Camilla, Princess Kate and the children rode in a carriage.

King Charles leads a horse-drawn procession in London on June 17. Photo: AFP — King Charles III (front) rides a horse in a parade in London on June 17. Photo: *AFP*

At the Guards Parade Ground, King Charles III rode through the formation, inspecting the soldiers performing the flag-raising ceremony.

The tradition of the British monarch riding a horse to inspect the flag has been absent from the Royal Flag Procession for nearly four decades. The last time this ritual took place was in 1985, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 59th birthday. For her 60th birthday, she decided to ride in a carriage because the horse she had ridden for 18 years was "retired".

King Charles III rode on horseback to celebrate his birthday — King Charles III reviews the Royal Regiment on horseback. Video: *AFP*

About 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses were mobilized for the procession. After the ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade Ground, the British royal family returned to Buckingham Palace. King Charles III and his family appeared on the balcony to wave to the people.

A 41-gun salute was fired in Green Park in central London. Royals and members of the public watched a display by 70 military planes and helicopters, including Typhoon fighter jets, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and the Royal Air Force's professional Red Arrows display team. It was larger than the display at the King's coronation in early May due to favourable weather conditions.

Prince William and his family stand next to King Charles (second from right) and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, waving to the public on June 17. Photo: AFP — Prince William's family stands with King Charles (second from right) and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 17. Photo: *AFP*

Bidisha Mamata, a British royal expert, said the celebrations for King Charles III's birthday this time "showed a more festive atmosphere" than the coronation in May.

"The coronation was more ceremonial, with many medieval traditions. This event focused more on the military image, the connection between King Charles III and his time serving in the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force," she said.

King Charles III's real birthday is November 14. However, the British monarch traditionally holds two birthday celebrations each year, one for the public and one for his family. The reason the British royal family chooses June for the parade and birthday festivities is because of the favorable weather and lack of rain. The tradition of holding a royal birthday parade began in 1748, during the reign of King George II.