King Charles III revived a British royal tradition by riding alongside the first colored military band of his reign, coinciding with the official birthday celebration of the King of Britain. The King was joined by 1,500 soldiers, 300 horses, and hundreds of musicians as they made their way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in St. James's Park for the event, which was attended by members of the royal family and crowds of Britons who gathered to witness the occasion and take photographs. This tradition had been forgotten in the UK, with Queen Elizabeth II being the last to ride in this parade back in 1986, marking a gap of 37 years.
For the occasion, King Charles wore the Welsh Guards uniform, complete with the regiment's cap badge on the collar and a green and white bear skin. Following him on horseback were several royal family members, including Prince William, who also donned the Welsh Guards uniform, which he inherited from his father in December. He rode alongside Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Behind them was a horse-drawn carriage carrying the Queen and the Princess of Wales, along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The King, as the commander of the British Armed Forces, led a traditional army into the celebration. During the ceremony at Horse Guards, he took the salute as the leader of the seven regiments of the Household Division while the national anthem was played. He was then given the opportunity to inspect and endorse his army.
Later, Queen Camilla joined her husband to watch the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards raise the regimental flag in front of hundreds of guardsmen and officers. The battalion performed intricate maneuvers on the battlefield to music, with Kensington Palace previously describing this year's musical program as "distinctively Welsh," featuring new pieces from the band specifically for the occasion.
