Trooping the Colour

The King's Birthday Parade

A ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies to mark the official birthday of the King. The King and his family travel by carriage down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, where they inspect the troops and then the entire Household Division performs a march past the King as he receives their salute. Tickets to Horse Guards Parade are awarded by ballot but the parade along the rest of the route can be watched for free. Up to three tickets can be requested by sending a letter (this is by post only), enclosing a self-addressed envelope, to the Brigade Major of the Headquarters Household Division, in January or February; these will be entered into the ballot and those chosen will be sent offer letters which contain payment details. Those without a ticket can get their best view by standing on The Mall, along the edge of the parade, or on the edge of St James's Park by Horse Guards Parade. Arriving before 09:00 is recommended.

• outdoors
• history
• family

Address

Horseguards Parade, Whitehall

Getting there

tube: Charing Cross or Westminster

Hours

Held annually on a Sat in June, beginning around 10AM

Price

About £20 if successful in the ballot

Website

royal.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)