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, generally arranged in late May or June to suit weather and include a public holiday plus the honours announcements. Britain first marked it in 1748 for King George II, and a scheduled date has persisted since historic reforms post-1936. Trooping the Colour is tied to the official birthday, usually on a Saturday in June. Charles III’s official birthday is celebrated 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 grew from a shift after 1936 to keep the celebration on a consistent yearly date rather than the actual birth date. The birthday parade known as Trooping the Colour forms a central part of the public celebration surrounding the official birthday, underscoring the monarch’s ceremonial role.