For years, tradition has been a vital part of the royal family. Among them is the Trooping the Colour, a military ceremony that has marked the celebration of the sovereign’s birthday for more than 250 years. The ceremony has been a staple of the royal family since the 1800s, but it was only within the last several decades that royal fans and the monarchy’s subjects got a glimpse of the royal family.
That’s right, we’re talking about those iconic photos of members of the House of Windsor gathered on Buckingham Palace’s balcony for photo ops, waving to the crowd, and watching the entire spectacle of Trooping the Colour unfold (if you’ve ever wondered why they’re all looking up, by the way — it’s to watch a fly-past of the Royal Air Force).
Over the years, there’ve been some adorable snapshots of young Princes William and Harry — who could forget when Prince Harry stuck his tongue out when mom Princess Diana was holding him in 1988? But these photos have also served as a sort of time capsule, capturing the royal family and its prominent members year after year.
Take a look at photos from Trooping the Colour ceremonies from both 2026 and the past below!
A version of this article was originally published in June 2022.
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2026
Image Credit: Getty ImagesWe always love that iconic (almost) full-family shot on the balcony!
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2026
Image Credit: Getty ImagesWe love this photo of Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales at the 2026 ceremony!
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2026
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty ImagesWe obviously need a shot of Catherine, Princess of Wales in her stunning look too!
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2024
Image Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty ImagesNot only did 2024 give us another iconic balcony shot, but this was the first appearance Kate Middleton has made in six months.
A few months earlier, in March, the Princess had announced her cancer diagnosis and revealed she was undergoing treatment. In June, after the Trooping the Colour, she announced she was in remission.
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(Almost) Full Family Photo in 2023
Image Credit: Neil Mockford/Getty ImagesWe adore this snapshot of the family at the 2023 Trooping the Colour parade.
This was the first Trooping of the Colour since King Charles III ascended the throne following Queen Elizabeth’s death on Sept. 8, 2022.
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Wales Children in 2023
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesOnce again, the Wales children steal the show with their funny reactions!
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2022
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesAt the 2022 Trooping the Colour, the late Queen Elizabeth perfectly matched with her great-grandkids Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, in baby blue.
This was her last Trooping the Colour before her death on Sept. 8, 2022.
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2020
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty Images2020 was much of the same. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trooping the Colour was canceled once again. Queen Elizabeth II marked her birthday with another small military ceremony at Windsor Castle.
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2019
Image Credit: Getty ImagesIn 2019, Queen Elizabeth II was able to have the full parade and Trooping the Colour ceremony for her birthday. She was joined by a number of members of her family.
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The Cambridges in 2019
Image Credit: Getty Images2019 also saw the entire Cambridge family enjoy the parade! And just look at Charlotte and Louis practicing their waves.
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The Sussexes in 2019
Image Credit: James Devaney/Getty Images2019 also marked the last Trooping of the Colour as senior members of the royal family for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. At the time, Markle had just given birth to her son Archie, who was born on May 6.
The couple left their royal duties in January 2020.
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Meghan Markle in 2018
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesMeghan Markle only attended two Trooping the Colour ceremonies during her time as a senior member of the royal family. Here she is chatting with sister-in-law Kate Middleton at the 2018 Trooping the Colour.
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2018
Image Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty ImagesThe entire royal family gathered for the 2018 Trooping the Colour on Buckingham Palace’s iconic balcony. Goodness, that’s a lot of members of the House of Windsor!
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2017
Image Credit: James Devaney/WireImageIn 2017, the family was back on the balcony, this time with little Princess Charlotte and Prince George! George was obviously working on that wave.
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2016
Image Credit: Luca Teuchmann/WireImageHere we have another snapshot of the royals during the 2016 Trooping the Colour. Princess Charlotte was just 13 months old at the time.
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2015
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesBack in 2015, a little Prince George got to enjoy one of his first of many Trooping the Colour ceremonies!
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2014
Image Credit: WireImageIn this 2014 photo from Trooping the Colour, nearly all the prominent members of the royal family can be seen — with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the front, of course.
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2013
Image Credit: Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II looked so elegant in her royal blue for Trooping the Colour in 2013.
At the time, Middleton was eight months pregnant with her first son, Prince George.
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2012
Image Credit: Indigo/Getty ImagesIn this 2012 photo, all eyes were looking up during Trooping the Colour as the Royal Air Force flew past Buckingham Palace.
Pictured here is Kate Middleton, Prince William, Princess Eugenie, Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice.
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2011
Image Credit: WireImageIn 2011, we really got to see just how many members of the royal family there are.
This was just a few months after Middleton and Prince William tied the knot on April 29, 2011.
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2010
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II broke out the pastels for 2010’s Trooping the Colour, wearing a lovely lavender hue.
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2009
Image Credit: Getty ImagesIn 2009, practically every member of the royal family was in attendance for Trooping the Colour. Look closely and you can see Queen Elizabeth II waving!
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2008
Image Credit: WireImageAlthough things didn’t look quite as bright and sun shiny in 2008, the royals nevertheless made their way to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour.
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2007
Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesIn 2007, the family chatted amongst themselves during the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
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2006
Image Credit: MJ Kim/Getty ImagesBy 2006, everyone was looking up on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
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2005
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty ImagesThis 2005 photo feels like a major throwback. Can you spot Prince William (and his full head of hair)?
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2004
Image Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images2004 gave us this snapshot of a smaller party for the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
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2003
Image Credit: Chris Young – PA Images/PA Images via Getty ImagesTaking a break from balcony duty, Prince Harry and Prince William rode in a carriage together for the 2003 Trooping the Colour.
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2002
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II gave fans a royal wave in this 2002 photo.
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2001
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesIn 2001, Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, known as the Queen Mum, made an appearance at Trooping the Colour.
Queen Mum passed away before the 2002 Trooping of the Colour, on March 30, 2002.
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2000
Image Credit: Ken Goff/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II rode solo in this 2000 photo after Trooping the Colour.
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1999
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesIt was practically all smiles on the Buckingham Palace balcony in this photo from the 1999 Trooping the Colour.
Pictured here are the Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Rear-admiral Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne.
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1998
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II directed everyone’s gaze upward in this 1998 photo from Trooping the Colour.
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1993
Image Credit: Martin Keene – PA Images/PA Images via Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II looked like she was having a jolly good time in this photo from the 1993 Trooping the Colour.
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1992
Image Credit: Jayne Fincher/Getty ImagesNearly every royal lady brought out her best hat for 1992’s Trooping the Colour.
This was the late Princess Diana’s last Trooping of the Colour. She and King Charles separated in 1992 and divorced four years later in 1996.
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1988
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesWho could forget this iconic photo of Prince Harry being oh so cheeky at the 1988 Trooping the Colour?
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1987
Image Credit: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty ImagesPrincess Diana stood next to Queen Elizabeth II in this photo from 1987’s Trooping the Colour.
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1986
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesIn this 1986 snapshot from Trooping the Colour, Prince Charles and Princess Diana can be seen anxiously watching over one of their boys.
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1985
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesIn this 1985 photo from Trooping the Colour, Prince Charles expertly holds son Prince Harry, giving mom Princess Diana a bit of a reprieve.
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1984
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty ImagesPrinces Charles was back on dad duty in this 1984 Trooping the Colour photo, too!
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1983
Image Credit: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II had a bit of a giggle in this 1983 Trooping the Colour photo.
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1981
Image Credit: Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty ImagesPrincess Anne, Princess Diana, and Prince Charles chatted together in this 1981 photo taken during Trooping the Colour.
This was the late Princess Diana’s first Trooping of the Colour.