A solemn minute’s silence was observed at this year’s Trooping the Colour parade in London to honour the 279 victims of the recent Air India plane disaster.
The gesture, held during celebrations marking King Charles III’s official birthday, was at the monarch’s request as a sign of respect for those affected by the crash.
A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace said the king, 76, asked for changes to the traditional ceremony “as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy.”
The disaster occurred on Thursday when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed during take-off from Ahmedabad, eastern India. Among the dead were 52 British nationals. The only known survivor is a British citizen, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, from Leicester.
In a message following the incident, King Charles said he was “desperately shocked by the terrible events” and extended his “deepest possible sympathy.”
Despite the tragic backdrop, the Trooping the Colour parade — a centuries-old military tradition — went ahead with modified proceedings. The event, which marks the British sovereign’s official birthday, featured a military procession from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, where the king took the royal salute and inspected troops.
Hundreds lined the streets to witness the grand ceremony, though the crowd also included anti-monarchy protesters holding placards that read “Not my king” and “Down with the crown.”
King Charles, currently undergoing weekly treatment for cancer, appeared alongside Queen Camilla. Also in attendance were Prince William, Princess Catherine (Kate), and their children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The Princess of Wales, herself in recovery from cancer, has begun reappearing at public events after months away.
Absent, however, were Prince Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and now reside in the United States. Relations between Harry and the royal family, particularly with Prince William, remain strained.
Although the parade occurs in June, King Charles was actually born in November — a tradition dating back to 1748 when King George II opted for a public celebration during more favourable summer weather.
Coincidentally, the parade took place on the same day former U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday with a major military display in Washington.
What you should know
King Charles used his official birthday parade to pay tribute to the 279 victims of the Air India crash. While the event retained its ceremonial elements, the tone was notably respectful and subdued. The royal family showed unity in the king’s support, although Prince Harry and Meghan were notably absent.
