Every year, the Queen celebrates her birthday in early June. Although her real birthday is April 21, this celebration is known as Trooping the Colour and has been an annual ceremony for over 250 years. The tradition dates all the way back to King George II, who in 1748 combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration—even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of throwing their official birthday parade in the summertime.
In honor of this year's Trooping the Colour celebration (and the Queen's 96th birthday), we're taking a look back at all the ceremonies over the past two centuries.
The 2022 Trooping the Colour Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 2.
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2021
The ceremony looked a bit different in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the usual format, it was held at Windsor Castle without any crowds.
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2021
The Red Arrows took to the skies over Windsor Castle to mark the important day.
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2021
The band marched through the George IV Gateway at Windsor Castle.
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2020
The event in 2020, held at Windsor Castle, was socially distanced and scaled down.
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2020
Queen Elizabeth watched the private parade from afar.
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2019
Camilla and the Duchess of Cambridge chat in the carriage as they arrive ahead of the ceremony.
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2019
Meghan and Harry arrive at the parade via carriage.
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2018
The royal family during the flyover.
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2018
Princess Charlotte took a tumble on the balcony, but her mom Kate was right there to comfort her.
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2018
Savannah Phillips stole the show when she told her cousin George to be quiet.
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2018
The Queen arriving at her birthday celebration!
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2018
Some of the Queen's children arriving on horseback during the parade.
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2018
Meghan Markle making her Trooping the Colour debut.
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2017
The whole royal family up on the balcony.
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2017
Two guards on horseback.
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2017
The Cambridges, back when they were just a family of four.
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2017
Princess Charlotte taking a sneak peek before the ceremonies begin.
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2017
The Queen waving to the crowd.
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2016
The whole scene.
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2016
A flyover.
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2016
Where's the Queen? She often wears vibrant colors so people can see her from quite far away.
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2016
Queen Elizabeth opted for a lime green suit for her 90th birthday.
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2016
A member of the Queen's Guard collapses during the ceremony.
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2015
Prince George points out something interesting to his father.
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2014
The parade getting started.
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2014
Spitfires of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fly over the ceremony.
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2013
The ceremony concluded with a 41-gun salute, fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
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2012
The Queen looked radiant in yellow from atop the palace's balcony.
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2009
More than 1,000 solders and horses take part in the festivities.
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