According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, Trooping the Colour originates on the battlefield. A regiment’s flag, also known as “colours,” was ever an important rallying point for soldiers in battle.

“In order to ensure that every soldier would be able to recognise their colours, the flag would be marched or ‘trooped’ regularly round the ranks. A regiment’s colours came to have huge significance for serving soldiers, and the gain or loss of colours were seen as decisive moments in battle,” the Royal Museums Greenwich shares on its website.

“This military function gained royal significance during the reign of George II, the first monarch to tie his birthday celebrations into the summer ceremony – despite the fact that his actual birthday was in November.”

Memorable royal appearances

“[King] Edward VII also had a November birthday, and it was during his reign that the summer ‘official’ birthday celebrations were standardized. It was also under [King] Edward VII that the inspection of the troops by the monarch became part of the celebration.”

Over 1,400 soldiers, 400 horses, and 400 musicians participate in Trooping the Colour celebrations. Tradition holds that the monarch will receive a royal salute as he arrives and inspects the troops. The soldiers will wear traditional and classic red ceremonial uniforms and bearskin hats.

Trooping the Colour has generated many memorable moments over the years. Now, as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children are growing up, they are also included in the traditional event. Last year, all three — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — made quite a memorable appearance.

Naturally, sometimes, an adult has to tell them how to act, and Kate Middleton usually takes on that responsibility. However, during the Trooping the Colour carriage ride last year, the children did something that apparently wasn’t royal enough.

As reported by Express, professional lipreader Jeremy Freeman claimed the Princess of Wales gave her children an eight-word order: “Do not look behind whilst on the coach.”

Prince William and Princess Kate have had their hands full with raising their children. However, on the big Trooping the Colour day last year, Kate had to govern them solo, as William was on horseback.

Kate Middleton used gestures to calm her children at last years Trooping the Colour

Speaking to Fabulous, body language expert Judy James also discussed Kate’s secret signals to ensure her kids remain on their best behavior and feel “enthusiastic.”

“She beamed with pride when Louis started miming drumming along with the band in the carriage,” James said. “Talking to her children, there were a couple of gestures of what looked like guidance about when to wave.”

“There was also a spreading gesture of both hands that would normally mean quite a severe message of when to stop or what not to do, too,” the body language expert added.

“She also put her hands below public view in the carriage to mime that ‘stop’ or ‘end’ sign to them as though warning them where the boundaries were, and on the way back she was doing small reward nods and smiles for their good behaviour, to ensure they were enjoying the event too.”

The balcony at Buckingham Palace has given royal fans worldwide many memorable moments over the years. One that today could be seen as the more emotional was in 2022, when Queen Elizabeth I celebrated her Platinum Jubilee celebration, marking 70 years on the throne.

At the end of the jubilee weekend, she appeared alongside her close family on the Buckingham Palace balcony, which also became the last time the beloved monarch appeared on the balcony before passing.

Kate Middleton ‘consider’ balcony appearance at Trooping the Colour, as per new claim
At that point, three future kings, Charles, William, and the young George, were there, as were Camilla, Kate Middleton, and George’s younger siblings, Charlotte and Louis.

Her Majesty surprised crowds in the national mall by appearing and waving to all the royal fans as they sang God Save the Queen. However, one of the most intimate moments was when Queen Elizabeth seemed somewhat surprised. She turned to George after airplanes had striped the sky red, white, and blue with smoke and told him something that also had her smiling.

So what did she say to her beloved great-grandson? According to professional lip reader John Cassidy, she told her grandson, surprised, “Ah, brilliant! I didn’t know.”

This year, everyone expects Kate Middleton to be home, enjoying the festivities from the couch. Now, the Daily Mail reports a shocking development: Kate Middleton is “understood to be considering” walking onto the balcony if she feels well enough.

Kate, who continues to undergo chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, has not undertaken any public duties this year as she focuses on her recovery.

The moment between George and Queen Elizabeth II was one of the last cute moments the world saw of them together, but one that will always be cherished. Most importantly, hopefully, George will remember it for all his life. If not him, we will for sure.

But one thing that everyone will remember is whether Kate MIddleton appears on the balcony during Trooping the Colour. Time will tell if that becomes a reality.