🎉 Traditions

Trooping the Colour is a military parade held in London to celebrate the official birthday of the British monarch. It takes place on Horse Guards Parade and includes soldiers, horses and music. The royal family watches from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Did you know? The monarch has two birthdays: a real one and an official one celebrated in June.

Changing the Guard is the ceremony in which one group of soldiers takes over from another at royal palaces. It is most often seen at Buckingham Palace. The soldiers wear traditional red tunics and bearskin hats, and a band usually plays music.

Did you know? The guards' tall black hats are called bearskins.

Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. They are a way for the royal family to meet people from all over the United Kingdom who have served their communities. Guests enjoy tea, sandwiches and cakes in the garden.

Remembrance Sunday is a day to remember members of the armed forces who have died in wars. The royal family lays wreaths at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. Many people wear red poppies as a symbol of remembrance.

Did you know? Many people wear a red poppy in the days before Remembrance Sunday.

The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of the parliamentary year. The King travels from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament and reads the King's Speech, which sets out the government's plans for the coming year. The ceremony includes traditions that date back hundreds of years.

Royal Maundy is a church service held on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch gives small purses of coins, called Maundy money, to elderly people chosen for their service to their communities. It is one of the oldest royal ceremonies in Britain.

A coronation is the ceremony in which a new monarch is formally crowned. British coronations take place at Westminster Abbey in London. The service includes ancient traditions, music and the use of the Crown Jewels. The coronation of King Charles III took place in May 2023.

Did you know? The most recent coronation was that of King Charles III in May 2023.

Royal weddings are public occasions as well as family celebrations. Many have been held at Westminster Abbey or at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Crowds gather outside and the ceremonies are broadcast to viewers around the world.

Royal honours are awards given to people for achievement or service to their community or country. Honours lists are published twice a year. Recipients attend a ceremony called an investiture, usually at Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, where a member of the royal family presents the award.

Did you know? People receive their honour at a ceremony called an investiture.

The Christmas Broadcast is a short message given by the monarch on television, radio and online on Christmas Day. Queen Elizabeth II began the tradition in its modern form in 1952. The King has continued it. The speech usually reflects on the past year and looks ahead.