When will we first see the Princess of Wales?
Sean Coughlan
BBC News royal correspondent, reporting from The Mall
As we’ve been reporting, today will mark the first step back into public life for the Princess of Wales this year.
Like anyone who has been away from their working life for a long time with illness, she’d be forgiven some butterflies of nervousness as she returns.
The first sight of her is likely to be in a carriage as she heads down The Mall – and crowds are already gathering, not to mention rows of TV cameras.
Kate’s spoken of having good days and bad days with chemotherapy, it’s the same with the weather today. It’s grey and blustery outside Buckingham Palace.
What is Trooping the Colour?
Copyright: PA Media
Before this morning’s events get under way, it’s perhaps worth reminding all of us what exactly Trooping the Colour – an event that’s been taking place for over 260 years – is all about.
Though King Charles’ actual date of birth is 14 November, this military parade has long been used to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign.
Today, we can expect more than 1,4000 soldiers and 200 horses to take part in a military parade and inspection, as well as music and pageantry.
Following his cancer diagnosis, the King will instead be in a carriage this year rather than on horseback like he was in 2023 – both during the procession and when he inspects the troops.
During the parade a regimental flag is “trooped” through the ranks of soldiers, with this being rotated among the five regiments of Foot Guards.
The Irish Guards, a regiment the Princess of Wales represents as Colonel, will take the lead this year and those attending will be able to hear some Irish music during the parade.
A gun salute will be fired in Green Park and we can also look forward to a RAF flypast later in the day.
Crowds begin to gather ahead of Trooping the Colour
Sarah Campbell
BBC Royal Correspondent, reporting from The Mall
Copyright: BBC
Crowds are building up on The Mall. Including a group of anti-monarchy protestors shouting “Not My King”.
In response, the surrounding spectators are answering with a rousing chorus of the national anthem.
Not long now until the carriages leave through the front gates of Buckingham Palace and we see the Princess of Wales for the first time at a public event since before Christmas.
It will be quite a moment.
Good morning and welcome
Johanna Chisholm
Live reporter
Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of Trooping the Colour – a day that is sure to deliver an impressive display of pageantry and military pomp.
It was confirmed last month by Buckingham Palace that King Charles III would take part in the annual ceremony, which marks the reigning monarch’s birthday, despite his cancer diagnosis.
And then late on Friday, it was revealed that the Princess of Wales would also be attending the annual event in what will be her first public appearance this year following her cancer diagnosis and abdominal surgery in January.
Because of this and other reasons, there will be some changes to this centuries-old ceremony – which will fill you in on in a bit more later.
As usual, we’re expecting to see more than 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses gather to flaunt their military precision, which will then end with a massive flypast.
Our royal correspondent Sean Coughlan is positioned near Buckingham Palace, and our colleague Sarah Campbell will be filing live updates throughout.
Curtain is up is at 10:30 BST, and as always, you can also watch live by pressing the Play button at the top of this page if you’re joinung us from the UK. Stick with us for more.
