Every June, Britain turns its Horse Guards Parade into a living history lesson—this year’s Trooping the Colour marked yet another sunlit spectacle of precision. Over 1,400 scarlet-coated soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 harmonizing musicians paraded the Coldstream Guards’ flag, celebrating not just King Charles III’s official birthday, but their 375th anniversary too. King Charles inspected the ranks from a carriage this time—bravely trading in his horse for wheels—in solidarity during treatment, while Queen Camilla dazzled in a white silk and silver-embroidered Anna Valentine ensemble topped with a Philip Treacy hat. The Princess of Wales, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis joined the family tableau, twinning in pastel tones and uniforms, culminating in a fly-past by the RAF’s Red Arrows now fueled by eco-friendly fuel. And yes, even tradition got an update—with a moment of silence and black armbands to honor the Air India tragedy—because when pageantry meets respect, pomp and poignancy go hand in hand.
Το ΒΗΜΑ, 15 June 2025
