In a significant shift that signals a new era for royal traditions, King Charles is making a permanent alteration to the beloved Trooping the Colour ceremony, the annual celebration of his birthday each June. This change comes as the King navigates his ongoing battle with cancer, following his diagnosis in 2024.

Renowned for his equestrian skills, King Charles has decided to trade in his riding boots. Instead of gracing the event on horseback, he will now travel by carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. This year, the grand celebration is set for June 14, and reports indicate that the King will not return to horseback riding for future parades.

Last year marked Charles's debut as sovereign at Trooping the Colour, where he rode proudly on horseback. In contrast, his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last rode in 1986, marking a shift in royal tradition that would see her opting for carriage rides thereafter—starting in 1987 and continuing up to her final Trooping the Colour in 2022, celebrated during her Platinum Jubilee.

With his cancer diagnosis publicized on February 5, the King's decision to ride in a carriage last year makes this alteration a permanent aspect of future Trooping ceremonies.

On another note, Princess Anne—set to turn 75 in August—will mark her own return to horseback riding at this year's event, riding alongside Prince William. This will be her first public appearance on horseback since a serious accident last June that left her with a concussion and resulted in a five-day hospital stay.

Despite ongoing cancer treatments, which the palace describes as progressing positively, King Charles’s health journey may continue indefinitely. Reports suggest that he might live with the disease but not succumb to it. Additionally, sources indicate that he and Queen Camilla may never inhabit Buckingham Palace once its restoration is complete in 2027, further contributing to the evolving narrative of the modern royal family.