Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker Bowles at Trooping the Colour Through the Years
Trooping the Colour is one of the biggest events on the British royal family’s calendar. It’s one of the few times a year the public gets to see a large number of high-ranking royals all in one place. Among them are Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. They, along with the rest of the family, follow Trooping the Colour rules. Ahead, check out photos of Catherine and Camilla at Trooping the Colour through the years.
What is Trooping the Colour?
A public celebration to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, the event takes place in June because of England’s weather. Privately, the queen celebrates her actual birthday in April. When temperatures rise she celebrates publicly with Trooping the Colour. A fun occasion, the event is known for its pomp and circumstance complete with a parade of royals in carriages, soldiers, horses, and a flypast from the Royal Air Force.
Kate Middleton’s first Trooping the Colour happened in 2011
Because of the royal family’s “no ring, no bring” rule, Catherine didn’t get an invite to Trooping the Colour until 2011 after she and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge wed. Traditionally, the parade is held in the first half of June, meaning less than two months after she became an official royal Catherine participated in her first Trooping the Colour.
Instead of riding in a carriage with William during the parade, the Duchess of Cambridge always sits with her stepmother-in-law. Why? Because they hold similar positions in the royal family. Married to the future leaders of the monarch, Catherine and Camilla will one day become queen consorts.
In 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge made her Trooping the Colour debut with Camilla at Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at her side. All smiles, they waved to crowds of well-wishers.
Camilla Parker Bowles and Kate Middleton have attended 9 Trooping the Colour parades together
Trooping the Colour is a longstanding event for the royal family. And ever since Catherine became the Duchess of Cambridge she and Camilla have shared a carriage in the event’s parade.
When the annual event came around in 2012, they coordinated in blue outfits and fascinators.
In 2013 Catherine showed off her growing baby bump. She and William would go on to welcome their oldest son, Prince George of Cambridge, on July 22, 2013.
Camilla in pink and Catherine in blue they waved to crowds in 2014.
Here they are grinning from ear to ear in 2015.
Bringing back the coordinating outfits, the Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine wore shades of white in 2016.
Standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2017, the Duchess of Cambridge pointed out something at the festivities to her stepmother-in-law.
Donning similar outfits yet again, Catherine and Camilla wore blue to Trooping the Colour in 2018.
Mother of three, Catherine held little Prince Louis of Cambridge in her arms standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Camilla in 2019.
Is Trooping the Colour happening in 2020?
Due to the coronavirus, Trooping the Colour will not take place as planned in 2020. Per Town and Country, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace issued on March 27, 2020, the royal family decided to cancel the annual parade.
“In line with Government advice, it has been agreed that The Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead in its traditional form,” the statement read.
However, the event will be honored somehow as “a number of other options are being considered, in line with relevant guidance.”
We’ll have to wait and see what the queen and the rest of the royal family do to mark the occasion.
