For centuries, Trooping the Colour has been a dazzling fixture on the British royal calendar, a spectacle of military precision, pageantry, and tradition marking the official birthday of the reigning monarch. Yet, as the event returns to London on Saturday, June 13, 2026, royal watchers will once again witness a notable break from custom: King Charles III, for the third year running, will forgo the traditional horseback ride and instead travel in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla.
This adjustment, though subtle to some, speaks volumes about the evolving realities of monarchy in the twenty-first century. According to The Times, the decision for Charles, now 76, to remain in the Scottish State Coach rather than atop a horse is rooted in his ongoing weekly cancer treatments, which began following his diagnosis in early 2024. The move echoes a similar shift made by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who stopped riding in the parade in 1986 after her horse Burmere retired.
In a nod to both comfort and safety, Charles and Camilla will be seen waving to crowds from the Scottish State Coach, a storied carriage with its own rich history. Originally commissioned in 1830 by Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, and later restored in the late 1960s, the coach is distinguished by its large glass windows, transparent roof, and the Royal Arms of Scotland emblazoned on its side. According to the Royal Household, the coach first debuted in its modern form during the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1969 and has since appeared at significant royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016.
Unlike the open-top Ascot Landau carriages favored by other royals, the Scottish State Coach offers onlookers an unusually clear view inside, thanks to its glass ceiling. Coachman Natalie Ozanne described it as “a big favourite,” noting that “it has a glass ceiling, so crowds higher up, people positioned higher up—which there will be a lot of in Windsor—can see in,” as reported by the royal website. The coach’s ceremonial significance was further cemented when it carried Prince William and Kate Middleton through the streets of London after their 2011 wedding.
This year, the coach will be pulled by four Windsor Grey horses, with two additional horses serving as outriders. The Windsor Greys, a fixture of royal processions since the reign of Queen Victoria, add another layer of tradition to the event, even as the mode of transport shifts for the monarch himself.
Yet, if the carriage ride signals a change in protocol, the heart of Trooping the Colour—the military spectacle—remains resolutely intact. The event, which dates back to 1748, is a celebration of the sovereign’s official birthday and a showcase of musical and military discipline. For King Charles, it’s also a moment to display his enduring ties to the armed forces, a relationship forged during his own military service in the 1970s.
Charles’s military résumé is impressive, if not marked by combat. As reported by Hello!, he served with the Royal Air Force in 1971, earning his RAF wings, and became a fully qualified helicopter pilot in 1974. He trained with the Royal Navy, serving on ships such as HMS Norfolk, HMS Minerva, HMS Jupiter, and HMS Hermes, before commanding the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington during his final ten months of service. In 1977, he also trained with the Parachute Regiment. Though Charles never saw active combat, unlike his brother Prince Andrew or son Prince Harry, his connection to the military has remained strong throughout his life.
That bond is visible in the medals and regalia he dons each year for Trooping the Colour. King Charles wears eleven medals on his uniform, each representing a milestone in royal or military history. These include the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953), Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022), and the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023). As Hello! details, these medals are arranged in chronological order and serve as reminders of both personal and national milestones.
Beyond these, Charles’s uniform features medals commemorating his own service and honorary ranks. The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, awarded for at least fifteen years of exemplary service, recognizes his time aboard Royal Navy ships in the 1970s. The Canadian Forces Decoration, adorned with three gold service bars, marks over forty years of dedication to the Canadian military. Additional honors include the New Zealand Commemorative Medal, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, the New Zealand Armed Forces Award, and the King’s Service Medal, which recognizes voluntary or public service to the Crown or community.
One particularly striking feature on his uniform is the ornate silver Garter Star, pinned below the row of medals. This insignia marks Charles’s position as Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Great Britain, established by King Edward III in 1348. It’s a visual reminder of the deep historical roots that underpin both the monarchy and the annual ceremony.
Charles’s military credentials extend beyond medals and titles. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him to the highest possible rank in all three branches of the British armed forces: Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force. These honorary appointments, while largely ceremonial, underscore the monarch’s unique role as head of the armed forces and his enduring relationship with the military community.
As Trooping the Colour unfolds this year, the King’s carriage ride might seem like a small departure from tradition, but it’s emblematic of a monarchy adapting to new realities while maintaining its core values. Charles’s visible commitment to duty—despite personal health challenges—resonates with many, as does his lifelong connection to the military, even if his medals reflect ceremonial service rather than battlefield experience. “It has a glass ceiling, so crowds higher up… can see in,” as Coachman Ozanne put it, and perhaps that transparency is fitting for a royal family navigating the expectations of a modern world.
With every detail, from the selection of the Scottish State Coach to the precise arrangement of medals on the King’s chest, Trooping the Colour 2026 promises to blend the weight of history with the realities of today. For spectators lining the Mall and millions watching around the world, it’s a reminder that even the most time-honored traditions can evolve, while still honoring the spirit of service and ceremony at their heart.