Thousands are expected to line the streets of central London as Trooping the Colour returns.
The King’s official birthday parade is happening on Saturday, June 13, and is anticipated to draw tens of thousands of spectators.
Key Timings
Spectators are advised to secure their spots along The Mall and St James’s Park around 9am.
The ceremony at Horse Guards Parade is set to begin between 10.20am and 10.30am and is expected to conclude by 12.25pm.
Following this, the royal procession will return to Buckingham Palace around 12.30pm.
The Royal Family is slated to make their balcony appearance at 1pm, coinciding with an RAF flypast, including the Red Arrows.
The Parade Route
The King’s route runs from Buckingham Palace, along The Mall, to Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall, and back.
Road Closures
Visitors should anticipate extensive road closures throughout the morning and early afternoon.
These include The Mall, Constitution Hill, Spur Road, Marlborough Road, Horse Guards Road, Whitehall, Birdcage Walk, Parliament Square approaches, and the St James’s Park area.
Most closures commence before 7am and last until after the RAF flypast and crowd dispersal.
It’s advised to avoid driving in central Westminster altogether, opting for public transport instead.
Tube Stations to Use
The best Tube stations for the event are Green Park, St James’s Park, Victoria, Charing Cross, Westminster, and Piccadilly Circus.
Expect crowd control measures and temporary exit restrictions at these stations, and plan to arrive early.
Best Free Viewing Spots
The Mall is the top spot, offering the best chance to see the Royal Family and the return procession, but it gets extremely busy.
For a view of the flypast, head to Buckingham Palace gates.
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St James’s Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade is slightly less crowded and good for families, though some views may be partially obscured.
The Horse Guards Road area is ideal for military enthusiasts, providing a good view of military units arriving and departing.
Best Viewing Strategy
For the best chance of seeing everything, there are two options.
Option A: For those focusing on the Royal Family and the flypast, arrive at Buckingham Palace gates by 8.30am, watch the return procession, and see the balcony appearance and RAF flypast at 1pm.
Option B: For a military parade focus, arrive at St James’s Park or Horse Guards area by 8.30am, watch the ceremony, then move towards Buckingham Palace after 12.20pm if crowds allow.
Tickets
Most spectators watch for free from public areas along the route, but the public ballot for grandstand seats has largely closed.
Some standing tickets and returns may occasionally become available through the official King’s Birthday Parade website.
Top Tips
For the best experience, arrive before 8am for barrier positions and bring water and sunscreen, as there’s little shade.
Expect airport-style security around key areas.
Public transport is recommended over driving.
Be aware that mobile signal can become patchy due to crowd numbers.
For those unable to attend in person, the BBC will broadcast the entire event live.
With Trooping the Colour being a significant ceremonial occasion in the royal calendar, it’s expected to bring not only a celebration of the King’s official birthday but also a grand display of pageantry and tradition.