Why Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Skipped Trooping the Colour
The first-ever Trooping the Colour to honor the birthday of King Charles III has enlisted the attendance of senior members of the royal family, including Queen Camilla, Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, and more. Unsurprisingly, this guest list didn't include Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
As non-working members of the British royal family, Harry and Meghan did not attend this year's annual military parade, along with other non-working members like Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. The couple last attended the event for the 2022 festivities during the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee weekend—though their attendance was in a non-official capacity, as they did not join the procession or the family's appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The last time the Sussexes officially attended Trooping the Colour was in 2019. At the time, Harry and Meghan joined then-duchesses Camilla and Kate in a horse-drawn carriage during the military procession. Meghan wore a sleek navy Givenchy dress with a matching Noelle Stewart hat, while Harry donned his military uniform.
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The annual parade celebrates the birthday of the reigning monarch every June (though the king's actual birthday falls on November 14). The tradition dates back to the 18th century, according to the BBC. In 1748, King George II decided to throw an annual military parade in June so that he could celebrate his birthday, which falls in November, in good weather. Thereafter, the second Saturday of June has become known as the reigning monarch's official birthday.
Today's parade will see the military procession migrate from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall to Horseguard's Parade. The event will conclude with the family appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony as they witness the RAF fly-past.
Source: Harper's BAZAAR
