Many royal fans and curious onlookers have been searching “why is Prince William not at Trooping the Colour” — but here’s the surprising answer: he was there. Prince William was very much present at the 2026 Trooping the Colour ceremony, riding on horseback and playing a prominent role in the annual military parade. So where did the confusion come from, and who was actually absent? Let’s break it all down.
What Is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour, also known as the King’s Birthday Parade, is one of the most iconic events in the British royal calendar. Held annually in June, the ceremony marks the official birthday of the reigning monarch — a tradition dating back to the reign of King George II in the 18th century, when poor November weather prompted the switch to a summer celebration.
The parade features over 1,400 soldiers from the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, along with more than 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, and nearly 200 horses. The event culminates with the Royal Family appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the RAF flypast, traditionally scheduled for around 1pm.
Was Prince William at Trooping the Colour 2026?
Yes — Prince William was absolutely at Trooping the Colour 2026. The event took place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in London, and the Prince of Wales played a central and visible role throughout the day.
William rode on horseback as part of the Royal Procession — a tradition he has maintained in recent years in his capacity as Colonel of the Welsh Guards. Kensington Palace shared official photographs of the Prince of Wales in full military uniform departing Buckingham Palace on his horse, Darby.
The Wales family was out in full force. Princess Kate (Catherine, Princess of Wales) arrived by carriage alongside their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — all of whom waved to the crowds lining the route down The Mall. The family later joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the flypast.
Why Are People Asking If William Wasn’t There?
The confusion likely stems from a few sources:
Prince Harry’s High-Profile Absence
The person who is truly missing from Trooping the Colour is Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have not been invited to the ceremony since King Charles became monarch, reflecting a deliberate policy of limiting the event to working members of the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020, and their exclusion from high-profile events like Trooping the Colour has been ongoing ever since.
Past Years of Royal Health Concerns
In recent years, searches about royal absences have spiked due to genuine health scares within the family. In 2024, Kate Middleton was notably absent from her usual visible role, having undergone abdominal surgery in January of that year and subsequently announced her cancer diagnosis. Similarly, King Charles has been managing his own cancer treatment since early 2024, which changed his participation — he now rides in a horse-drawn carriage rather than on horseback, as he had previously done.
These real absences have trained audiences to look closely at who is and isn’t at major royal events, fueling searches whenever anyone appears to be missing.
Social Media Speculation
Online speculation frequently circulates before and during royal events, sometimes inaccurately suggesting key figures won’t attend. In the lead-up to the 2026 ceremony, there was significant chatter online about which royals would appear — but William’s attendance was confirmed and clearly documented.
What Was Prince William’s Role at Trooping the Colour 2026?
Prince William’s role at Trooping the Colour is far from passive. As Colonel of the Welsh Guards, he rides on horseback as part of the official Royal Procession alongside other senior royals. At the 2026 ceremony, he was photographed in his striking full military dress uniform — a red tunic with the regiment’s leek insignia — riding Darby down the iconic route.
The Royal Procession departed Buckingham Palace at 10:45am, with William accompanying King Charles to Horse Guards Parade. From there, the King took the Royal Salute while the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park. Military traditions including the Kings Inspection, the Massed Bands Troop, and the Trooping itself followed before the procession returned to the palace at around 12:20pm.
By 12:55pm, the Royal Family had gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony, with William, Kate, and their children joining the King and Queen Camilla for the much-anticipated moment.
Who Was Actually Absent from Trooping the Colour 2026?
While Prince William was very much present, the most notable absences from the 2026 ceremony were:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited, consistent with recent years. The Royal Family’s policy of focusing on working royals for high-profile appearances remains firmly in place. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have never attended the event.
- Prince Andrew — Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 and no longer participates in official royal events.
The Broader Royal Picture in 2026
This year’s Trooping the Colour marked King Charles’s third as monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in September 2022. Despite his ongoing cancer treatment, the King participated fully in the ceremony — though he continues to travel by horse-drawn carriage rather than on horseback, a change introduced during his recovery period.
The Wales family’s prominent presence at the 2026 parade was widely celebrated. Kate’s return to public duties after her cancer diagnosis and recovery has been warmly received, and her appearance in a baby-blue-and-white coat dress alongside her children drew significant attention and praise.
FAQ: Prince William at Trooping the Colour
Q: Did Prince William attend Trooping the Colour 2026? A: Yes. Prince William was present and rode on horseback as Colonel of the Welsh Guards during the June 13, 2026 ceremony.
Q: Why do people think Prince William wasn’t at Trooping the Colour? A: The confusion is likely driven by Prince Harry’s continued absence, past health-related absences within the Royal Family, and social media speculation ahead of the event.
Q: Who was absent from Trooping the Colour 2026? A: The most notable absentees were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have not been invited since stepping back from royal duties. Prince Andrew also did not attend.
Q: Did Kate Middleton attend Trooping the Colour 2026? A: Yes. The Princess of Wales attended with their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — traveling by carriage along the traditional route.
Q: Does Prince William ride a horse at Trooping the Colour? A: Yes. In his role as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Prince William rides on horseback as part of the Royal Procession. In 2026, he rode a horse named Darby.
Q: Will Prince Harry ever return to Trooping the Colour? A: There are no current indications that Harry and Meghan will be invited back. The Royal Family’s policy of limiting the event to working royals appears firmly in place.
Did Prince William’s prominent role at Trooping the Colour 2026 surprise you — and do you think Prince Harry will ever make his way back to the balcony? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for all the latest royal updates!