Trooping the Colour: A look back at the biggest royal moments through the years

The tradition of Trooping the Colour dates all the way back to the 17th century, when it was first performed during the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685).

It was first hosted specifically as a celebration for the official birthday of the Sovereign in 1748, then King George III cemented it as an annual event in 1760. It underwent several changes through the years, however the ceremony we see has remained largely unchanged since 1889.

Born in 1926, Princess Elizabeth – later Queen Elizabeth II – attended her first Trooping the Colour parades as a young child.

Pictured here in 1933, she rode in a carriage with other important royal ladies for her first outings; Elizabeth sits between her grandmother Queen Mary, Queen Consort to King George V (left) and Princess Mary, the Princess Royal (second left). Elizabeth’s mother Elizabeth, the Duchess of York sits opposite (right).