Trooping the Colour 2023: Will King Charles be on horseback, the last time he rode, royal parade history

For King Charles’ coronation, the new monarch changed many of the traditions to be in line with modern day beliefs such as cutting down the procession route and using a different state coach.

As the 74-year-old looks to mark his first birthday as King with the annual Trooping the Colour parade on 17 June, Charles continues to do things a little differently to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

For the first time in 30 years, Charles will take to horseback in the procession that runs from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back before the annual balcony appearance and flypast.

While Prince William was seen riding on Saturday when conducting the Colonel’s Review, Charles has not been photographed on a steed since the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee early last year.

Why is Charles’ decision to ride concerning?

Some people are sharing their concerns about King Charles’ decision to take to horseback for his 75th birthday procession for a number of reasons.

Firstly, people are worried about the summer weather that impacted last week’s Colonel Review after three soldiers fainted from the 28 degree warmth; with King Charles suited and booted while riding, he will no doubt feel the heat.

Despite King Charles being a proficient horse rider like many of the Royal Family members, Prince Harry voiced his worries about his father’s back in his memoir 'Spare', after he picked up a polo injury. Prince Harry may not be invited to the Trooping the Colour, but his worries still stand.

When was the last time Charles rode?

As mentioned, Charles is a very good horseman who has even previously featured as a jockey in the 1981 Cheltenham Festival Kim Muir Challenge Cup - although he fell off at fence number 10.

Following his race experience, Charles played polo for 40 years before retiring almost 20 years ago and had his fair share of steeplechasing events.

While he has turned his hand to horse sports in a sporting manner, Charles has also been spotted riding in royal events including last year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations where he rode next to Prince William down The Mall.

Have royals always ridden in Trooping the Colour?

King Charles may be the first royal to ride in the Trooping the Colour procession for three decades, but prior to that the Queen took to horseback for approximately 20 years of her reign for the annual birthday celebrations.

It must be noted that the first time Elizabeth horse rode in the event was in 1951 when her father, the then-King, could not participate due to his ill health; so the Princess wore a modified regiment’s uniform and led the procession on a horse named Winston while riding side saddle.

Between 1969 and 1986, Elizabeth rode her black mare called Burmese after she was gifted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, until the beloved horse went into retirement. Elizabeth then participated in Trooping the Colour in a carriage.

In 1981, the then-monarch was shot at whilst riding Burmese down The Mall for the Trooping the Colour, by Marcus Simon Sarjeant who had six blank rounds. Burmese spooked but Elizabeth II remained resolute.