A lot of question marks have been raised around this year's Trooping the Colour - the official birthday parade of the monarch.
One of the monarchy's biggest set-piece events each year, the day will see over 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses be inspected and process their colours, accompanied by 400 musicians in a day of pomp and pageantry. And in a grand finale, select royals will gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch an RAF flypast. But some details are still uncertain, particularly given the health struggles both Princess Kate and King Charles are facing.
Despite continuing his cancer treatment, it has been confirmed that Charles will attend the major event, but he will be inspecting the troops from a carriage rather than a horse. Since returning to some public duties - because his medical team were pleased with the progress he has made - any engagement he undertakes may be subject to necessary adaptations to protect his health.
However, Kate's attendance has not been confirmed amid her cancer recovery. The princess is Colonel of the Irish Guards - who will be trooping their colour at the event - but she will not be attending the final dress rehearsal, Kensington Palace has announced.
Ahead of the major event, we break down everything royal fans who want to watch the big day need to know, including how tickets for the event work.
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Can anyone go to Trooping the Colour?
Anyone can watch the parade from the Mall or St. James' Park, but you would be best to get there about 9am (or earlier) before proceedings get under way to ensure you get a good spot where you can see as much as possible. In St. James's Park you will get the best vantage point of the Mall from the North-Westerly side of the green space.
Equally, setting up shop on the north side of the Mall should mean you have a good view. You can also watch from the North and East side of St. James's Park, which overlooks Horse Guard's Parade.
Horses and troops advance down the Mall during last year's Trooping the Colour (Getty Images)The Household Division advises the public that if you opt to view the parade from any of these spots there is a chance the troops might restrict what you can see.
Can you get tickets for Trooping the Colour 2024?
Tickets are no longer available for Trooping the Colour 2024, but you can still head down to the area and watch from the public vantage points listed above. Each year tickets to watch the ceremonial event from a seated grandstand are allocated through a ballot - which is now closed.
They cost £30 and are limited to four tickets per person, and a strict dress code is applied to the King's Birthday Parade - so if you are keen to try your luck in the ballot next year, make sure you've got your morning dress ready.
When is Trooping the Colour 2024?
Trooping the Colour 2024 is taking place on 15 June, and proceedings will officially begin at 10.20am, culminating in a dramatic RAF Flypast at 1pm. If you would like to watch from the public viewing spaces, you would be best to aim to get there earlier in the morning however, at about 9am.
This year the King will inspect the troops from a carriage rather than horseback as he did in 2023 (PA Archive)How to watch Trooping the Colour 2024
You can watch the King's Birthday Parade from near Buckingham Palace and along the Mall, either on the south side of the parade in St. James's Park or the north edge of the road. Anyone can watch from these spots if they would like to witness the pageantry in person, but if you don't like the sound of such a long day and would prefer to watch the ceremonial parade from the comfort of your own home then it will be aired on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer, with the programme beginning at 10am.
Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com
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