The 2025 edition of Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration marking the official birthday of the British monarch, showcased the British Royal Family in its full ceremonial splendor. Among the many highlights of the day, it was the candid, affectionate bond between Prince George and Prince Louis that caught public attention and reminded royal watchers of the human moments behind the pageantry.
On June 14, 2025, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — participated in the historic procession and balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace.
The Royal Carriage Ride and Public Appearance
As part of the tradition, the younger members of the Royal Family joined Princess Catherine in a horse-drawn carriage that made its way along The Mall. Dressed in coordinated navy suits with red ties, Prince George and Prince Louis sat side by side during the procession, waving to cheering onlookers under clear summer skies.
They were accompanied by Princess Charlotte, who wore a powder blue dress, and Princess Catherine, whose elegant attire echoed the theme of unity and formality that defines royal ceremonial dress.
Photos published by Getty Images and reports by BBC News documented the moment as the children smiled and waved at the crowds. Their coordinated behavior and visible excitement, particularly from Prince Louis, offered a charming and relatable moment within a day steeped in tradition.
Trooping the Colour: A Historic Royal Tradition
Trooping the Colour has been a fixture of the British ceremonial calendar for over 260 years. It serves as the official celebration of the Sovereign’s birthday, regardless of their actual birth date. King Charles III, who celebrated his 76th birthday in November 2024, presided over the event in June as per tradition.
The 2025 ceremony featured more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians from the Household Division. The military parade commenced at Horse Guards Parade, traveled along The Mall, and culminated in the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearance and Royal Air Force flypast.
Notably, this year’s event carried added emotional weight. King Charles, who is undergoing cancer treatment, chose to attend the ceremony in a carriage rather than on horseback, breaking with his past appearances. His participation was a signal of resilience and commitment to royal duties amid ongoing medical care.
Balcony Moments and the Red Arrows Flypast
After the parade concluded, the royal family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast, a highlight of the annual celebration. The flypast featured aircraft such as the Poseidon MRA1, Typhoon jets, and the Red Arrows, who painted the skies with red, white, and blue smoke in honor of the King.
Prince Louis’s enthusiasm on the balcony was once again a highlight. Smiling and waving with unfiltered joy, he stood beside his older brother, Prince George, who gently guided his younger sibling’s attention to the aircraft overhead. Images of Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their three children watching the display, published by The Guardian, captured the family in a moment of unity and celebration.
Prince George, now 11, is taking on increasing public responsibilities as the future king. His composed presence during the event and gentle interactions with Louis reflected a growing maturity, while still displaying the affectionate bond the brothers share.
Princess Anne Returns, Princess Catherine Reappears
This year’s Trooping the Colour was also notable for the public return of Princess Anne, who had been recovering from a head injury sustained in 2024. She joined the procession on horseback, riding alongside Prince William and The Duke of Edinburgh, reinforcing the family’s commitment to tradition and duty.
Princess Catherine, attending her first major public event since announcing her preventative cancer treatment earlier this year, appeared with her children in the carriage and on the balcony. Dressed in a structured white and navy ensemble, she was greeted warmly by crowds and the media for her return to royal life.
The Royal Household had confirmed that her appearance would be limited and dependent on her health, and her attendance was seen as a strong indication of her progress in recovery【Royal.uk】.
Commemoration and National Remembrance
In addition to the celebration, the royal family observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Air India Flight 182 tragedy, which claimed the lives of 329 people in 1985. The king requested that participating royals wear black armbands as a mark of respect. This observance emphasized the Royal Family’s role in leading both celebration and remembrance during national occasions.
As the Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park and the echo of drums filled the air, the entire day reflected a blend of regal grandeur and solemn acknowledgment of shared history.
VE Day: A Precursor to the Royal Siblings’ Bond
Just weeks earlier, Prince George and Prince Louis also shared affectionate and humorous moments during the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day), held on May 5, 2025. During the commemorative ceremony, Prince Louis was seen mimicking Prince George’s gestures, including brushing his hair—a moment that delighted observers and media alike.
Throughout the ceremony, Prince Louis remained close to his father, Prince William, at times adjusting his uniform and settling in with a hot water bottle to stay warm during the brisk spring morning.
Photos from the event, including their later appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony, showed the same sibling dynamic that played out again during Trooping the Colour—affectionate, light-hearted, and full of familial connection.
Early Public Roles for Royal Children
As children of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are gradually becoming familiar faces at official royal events. Though still young, their growing presence reflects the modern monarchy’s careful introduction of the next generation.
Prince George has accompanied his parents to several engagements and state events, including public appearances during the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and King Charles III’s coronation in 2023.
These early roles help acclimate the royal children to life in the public eye while offering the public glimpses into the evolving face of the monarchy.
Conclusion: Moments of Connection in Royal Tradition
Trooping the Colour 2025 offered the British public and royal watchers worldwide an opportunity to celebrate national pride, military heritage, and the enduring presence of the monarchy. Yet it was the personal and human moments—like the camaraderie between Prince George and Prince Louis—that resonated most deeply.
Amid ceremony, uniforms, and salutes, their brief exchanges and shared delight brought warmth to an event rooted in history. As the Royal Family continues its transition into a new chapter under King Charles III, the visibility of the next generation—including their natural sibling bond—offers continuity, connection, and hope for the future of the Crown.
Verified Sources:
- BBC News – Trooping the Colour
- Royal.uk – Official Royal Family Events
- Sky News – Prince William and Royal Family
- Getty Images – Royal Event Photos
- The Guardian – Royal Ceremony Coverage
