King Charles will once again ride in a carriage rather than on horseback at Trooping the Colour in a carriage. this year, PEOPLE confirms — a subtle but significant reflection of his ongoing cancer treatment.
The annual event, also known as the King’s Birthday Parade, will take place in London on Saturday, June 14. It marks the second year in a row the monarch, 76, will review the troops from a carriage alongside Queen Camilla, 77, instead of riding horseback as he did during his first Trooping as sovereign in 2023.
Charles’ decision to remain in a carriage mirrors the adaptation once made by his late mother. Despite riding horses privately until well into her nineties, Queen Elizabeth switched from taking part in the event on horseback to riding in a coach in 1987 when she was 60.
The King is undergoing regular treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, following his diagnosis last year following a scheduled procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. He was hospitalized in March after an adverse reaction to the side effects of his treatment. The palace said in a statement at the time that “following scheduled and ongoing medical treatment for cancer, King experienced temporary side effects that required a short period of observation in hospital.”
An aide called it “the most minor bump in the road that’s very much heading in the right direction.”
Prince William taking part in the annual Trooping the Colour horseback in June 2024.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Despite the health challenges, Charles has steadily increased his public appearances. On June 9, the Palace confirmed his carriage plan as he kicked off a visit to Lancaster in northwest England, where he received the ceremonial keys to Lancaster Castle and met with local charities and businesses.
Behind palace gates, long-term planning continues. Writing in The Telegraph, journalist Camilla Tominey reports that aides have begun discussions around celebrations for the King’s milestone 80th birthday in 2028.
However, concessions are still being made to the King’s life. The outlet also notes Charles is unlikely to move into Buckingham Palace full-time, even after renovations are completed in three years, preferring to remain at his current London residence.
Prince William, Princess Kate and, from left, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at Buckingham Palace at the end of Trooping the Colour in June 2024.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
The King, who completed a two-day visit to Canada with Camilla in late May, is undergoing regular cancer treatment, which is enabling him to continue with his duties. After the end of that visit, in which he opened the Canadian parliament, aides said, “The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it, and that’s what he does.”
“Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him,” the aide added. “As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. That’s exactly what he is doing.”
Trooping the Colour is a major moment on the royal family’s calendar each year, featuring a grand military parade by all seven regiments of the Household Division. The spectacle begins with a carriage procession down The Mall and ends with a ceremonial flypast viewed from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
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King Charles waves to wellwishers during his visit to Lancaster Castle on June 9, 2025.
Temilade Adelaja – WPA Pool/Getty
As honorary Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Prince William, 42, is expected to ride horseback again this year, alongside Princess Anne and uncle Prince Edward. His wife, Kate Middleton, and their three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, — traditionally ride in a carriage and appear with the King and Queen for the balcony moment.
The event ends with a ceremonial flypast that the royals watch from the balcony at Buckingham Palace.
The parade also marks the start of a busy week of royal events, including the Order of the Garter service at Windsor Castle on June 16 and the start of Royal Ascot the following day.