Royal Family's Best Trooping the Colour Moments Over the Years — Including Prince Louis' Fun Dance Moves!
Royal Family's Best Trooping the Colour Moments Over the Years — Including Prince Louis' Fun Dance Moves!
Stephanie PetitSat, June 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM UTC
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Prince William with his familyCredit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Each year, the British royal family gathers in London for a public celebration of the monarch's birthday, known as Trooping the Colour. From the horse-drawn carriage rides through the city to the incredible fashion to the family appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony, the event is a highlight on the royal calendar — and known to produce some of their sweetest moments.
Below, see some of the British Royal Family's best moments from Trooping the Colour over the years — going as far back as 1949!
01 of 17
The Future Queen Rides
Credit: PA Images via Getty
The future Queen Elizabeth participated in the Horse Guards Parade in 1949 for the Trooping the Colour in celebration of her father King George VI's 53rd birthday.
02 of 17
Diana's Maternity Look
Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty
Just nine days before the birth of her first son Prince William in 1982, Princess Diana appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles in a green maternity dress.
03 of 17
Prince Harry Making Faces
Prince Harry and Princess DianaCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
What's more adorable than Prince Harry and Princess Diana's matching green outfits in 1988? Prince Harry showing off his cheeky side by sticking out his tongue!
04 of 17
Kate's Debut
Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
Just weeks after Kate Middleton and Prince William tied the knot in 2011, the future Princess of Wales made her Trooping the Colour debut alongside her husband and new in-laws.
05 of 17
Queen Scolding William
Credit: Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Prince William learned that you're never too old for a scolding from Granny! In 2016, William bent down to point out something to his eldest son, Prince George — but the Queen quickly gestured for him to stand up straight...and William obeyed!
06 of 17
Trooping the Colour
Queen Elizabeth and the royal family at Trooping the Colour in 2019Credit: James Devaney/Getty
The highlight of the day is the family gathering on the Buckingham Palace balcony so the royals can catch a view of the Royal Air Force's flypast overhead.
07 of 17
Unamused George
Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Prince George seemed less than thrilled to be watching the flypast in 2017, resting his hand in his hand. Maybe he was more interested in a nap?
08 of 17
Window Watching
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Although Prince Louis was still a year away from his balcony debut, big siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte showed him the best way to check out the action in 2018: through the Buckingham Palace windows! (And Louis sucking his thumb? Too sweet!)
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09 of 17
Future Queens
Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Camilla and Kate often took part in the parade riding side-by-side in a horse-drawn coach.
10 of 17
Cousin Antics
Credit: DANIEL LEAL/AFP/Getty
Savannah Phillips and Prince George had a cheeky streak in 2018, clearly catching a case of the giggles. But realizing they may be going too far, Savannah was seen shushing Prince George — a bold move given that he's the future king — and even placed her hand over his mouth. Note that Kate and William don't look too pleased with the behavior!
11 of 17
Kate in Mom Mode
Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
When Princess Charlotte stumbled and had a little fall resulting in tears in 2018, Kate quickly picked up her daughter to comfort her. Within no time, Princess Charlotte was back to smiles and waves.
12 of 17
Meghan's Debut
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
A month after their royal wedding, Meghan Markle had her Trooping the Colour debut in a pink off-the-shoulder dress alongside Prince Harry.
13 of 17
Prince Louis' Royal Wave
Prince George in the Amaia outfit in 2019Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Prince Louis had his entire family cracking up in 2019 when he debuted his extra enthusiastic royal wave during his first balcony appearance.
14 of 17
The Queen's Quiet Celebration
Queen ElizabethCredit: Chris Jackson/Getty
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the typical Trooping the Colour was canceled 2020 and 2021. However, the Queen was still toasted with smaller celebrations, including the 2021 at Windsor Castle.
15 of 17
King Charles' First Trooping the Colour
The royal family at Trooping the Colour 2023Credit: Neil Mockford/Getty
After the death of Queen Elizabeth in Sept. 2022, King Charles was honored at Trooping the Colour for the first time in his reign the following year.
16 of 17
Prince Louis' Dance Moves
Prince William and his familyCredit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Prince Louis got into the swing of things as the young royal was pictured having the time of is life while watching an RAF flypast. (The previous year, he delighted onlookers with some cute dance moves from the balcony).
17 of 17
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte's Twinning Moment
Princess Charlotte and Catherine Princess of Wales Trooping the ColourCredit: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte had the most stylish mother-daughter moment when they arrived wearing the same hue in 2025. Princess Kate wore a bright aqua Catherine Walker dress coat with a hat by Juliette Botterill while her daughter was complementary in a paler dress, with her hair pulled into braids.
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