Why does the King have two birthdays? | Findmypast.co.uk
Discover the history of Trooping the Colour - the monarch's annual birthday parade.
www.findmypast.co.ukThe King’s Official Birthday is celebrated in many Commonwealth realms as the monarch’s public birthday, often set in late May or June to suit weather and include a public holiday and the Birthday Honours. Britain first marked it in 1748 for King George II, and a separately proclaimed date has persisted since historic reforms post-1936. Trooping the Colour is linked to the official birthday, commonly held on a June Saturday. Charles III’s official birthday has been observed in June since 2023, with a second parade in 2024, reflecting the tradition of a distinct annual celebration. Findmypast notes the parade as the royal birthday procession linked to the monarch’s official birthday. The practice developed from a shift after 1936 to keep the celebration on a set calendar date rather than the actual birth date. The birthday parade known as Trooping the Colour forms a core part of the public celebration surrounding the official birthday, emphasizing the monarch’s ceremonial role.