Prince Harry to skip Trooping the Colour, feels ‘shut out’ of Royal Family

The Trooping the Colour ceremony is a dazzling spectacle that sees the whole of the Royal Family come together to celebrate the King’s official birthday. However, Prince Harry is not expected to be watching on

It’s one of those exceptional moments when the entire Royal Family joins forces, united as one.

And it is expected that today will be just such an occasion, as the monarchy comes together to celebrate Trooping the Colour.

This event marks the King’s official birthday with tradition and ceremony, featuring the King guiding his family onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the thrilling RAF flypast, including the Red Arrows.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans convinced soap legend returning next week after cracking code

In recent times, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been noticeably absent from these celebrations.

The couple made their final appearance with the royals on the balcony in 2019 – only a few months before they sensationally stepped back from their Royal duties.

Their relationship with the Royal Family has since deteriorated following critical remarks in their Netflix series and Harry’s tell-all book, Spare.

Prince Harry recently disclosed his current lack of communication with his father yet expressed a wish for reconciliation with both his dad and his brother, Prince William.

However, despite the opportunity presented by Trooping the Colour to observe his relatives at close quarters, Royal commentator Jennie Bond doubts whether the Duke of Sussex will even watch the event on television.

Speaking to the Mirror, the former BBC Royal correspondent commented: “There’s no way Prince Harry will be watching the ceremony – after all, it will be the middle of the night in California.

“I don’t suppose he wastes much time looking at events he is no longer part of,” reports the Mirror.

“But it must be strange to see his whole family on parade, doing their duty and being cheered by huge crowds while he lives such a different life so far away.

“The day is also a chance for us all to see the family unite around the King, and the balcony moment is always a highlight.

“Over the years, we have seen a toddler Prince Harry sticking his tongue out, Prince George looking distinctly bored, a young Princess Charlotte looking a little tearful and Savannah Phillips clapping her hand over George’s mouth to keep him quiet!

“It’s always a heyday for Royal watchers!

“Of course, that must make it a bit of an ordeal for the Royal Family: everyone has to be on their best behaviour.

“It must also require some pretty skilful horsemanship from the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and Prince Edward to keep their steeds under control for the best part of two hours.

“But they will know that there is a powerful symbolism about such senior members of the Royal family riding as escort to guard the King.

“And William has been quoted as saying that he really enjoys it.”

The annual event of Trooping the Colour, celebrating over 260 years, marks the official birthday of the King or Queen with grandeur.

This storied ceremony brings together an assembly comprising hundreds of soldiers and horses performing intricate military drills to the tune of martial music.

The ceremonial display is a feat of coordination and tradition with more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians.

During the parade, royals will journey from Buckingham Palace, proceeding down The Mall to the Horse Guards Parade in a majestic procession — some on horseback or in carriages.

Once there, they’ll witness the military pageantry before re-joining the procession back to Buckingham Palace upon completion.

Following the parade, the royals congregate on the Palace balcony for a march-past and an RAF fly-past, which includes a display by the Red Arrows, wrapping up the day’s festivities.

Jennie commented: “Trooping the Colour is a dazzling spectacle.

“It’s held in June in the hope that the sun will be shining, the crowds will be warm and the breastplates and swords of the Household Cavalry will be sparkling.

“It marks the Monarch’s official birthday and is a chance to see all the pomp and pageantry that Britain excels at.”

She went on to explain: “Historically, the Colour (or flag) was trooped – or displayed – on the battlefield as a rallying point for the soldiers.

“Today it is not only an exercise in military precision, but also a rallying point for crowds and the TV audience to unite around the monarchy.”

Reflecting on her past experiences, she added: “I’ve been lucky enough to attend several Troopings and I defy anyone to keep their feet still as the drums thump out the beat to the military music and the horse’s hooves go thundering by.

“It really is a spectacle and a half.”