As anticipation builds ahead of Trooping the Colour, royal watchers are in for a treat today, Saturday, June 7, with an early preview of the majestic military pageantry set to unfold in London. The Colonel’s Review, the final rehearsal before the King’s official birthday parade, will take place near Buckingham Palace — but this year comes with a unique twist.
Set for June 14, this year’s Trooping the Colour will see the Coldstream Guards trooping their flag, known as the Colour, before King Charles III at Horse Guards Parade. The Coldstream Guards are one of the five Foot Guards regiments within the Household Division, alongside the Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards, and Welsh Guards. These elite units serve a ceremonial and protective role for the monarch.
What’s Different This Year?
Unlike previous years, no member of the Royal Family will be present at today’s Colonel’s Review. That’s because the Coldstream Guards are currently the only Foot Guards regiment without a Royal Colonel.
Instead of a senior royal leading the review, General Sir James Bucknall, the regiment’s Colonel, will take the salute — marking a notable departure from tradition. In 2023, Prince William carried out the Colonel’s Review when the Welsh Guards were the featured regiment. The year before that, the Irish Guards took centre stage — a regiment that counts the Princess of Wales as their Colonel.
Due to her cancer diagnosis and recovery last year, the Princess of Wales was unable to attend but shared a heartfelt message with the troops:
“I wanted to write to you to let you know how proud I am of the entire regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.
“Being your colonel remains an honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review. I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.”
She signed the message with the regimental motto: “Quis separabit” — “Who shall separate us?”
As preparations for the King’s Birthday Parade continue, today’s Colonel’s Review promises all the spectacle and ceremony royal fans have come to expect — just without a familiar royal face on the reviewing stand.
