Clare Balding will present live coverage from central London as the Coldstream Guards perform the traditional trooping of the colour at Horse Guards Parade. This ceremony marks the official birthday of His Majesty the King. Known worldwide, the event is a grand display of music, royal pageantry, and military precision. The celebration reaches its peak with the annual Royal Air Force flypast and the royal family’s famous appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
On the ground, Radzi Chinyanganya will report live, speaking with people involved in the day’s events. The broadcast offers audio-described commentary for visually impaired viewers, available through the Red Button service and on BBC iPlayer. Viewers can also watch the live events on BBC iPlayer without commentary for an uninterrupted experience.
The day’s highlights will be shown later on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, starting at 7 pm. This coverage will recap key moments from the celebration for those who miss the live broadcast.
The trooping of the colour is a historic and highly symbolic ceremony. It brings together members of the armed forces in a display of discipline and tradition, celebrating the monarch’s official birthday with military music and coordinated drills. The RAF flypast over London provides a striking aerial tribute to the occasion, drawing crowds to the streets and millions watching across the country and around the world.
The royal family’s balcony appearance remains a much-anticipated moment, where the monarch and close relatives greet the public and show unity. This annual event is not only a celebration of the king’s birthday but also a vivid reminder of Britain’s rich heritage and the enduring role of the monarchy in national life.
Through this live coverage, the BBC aims to bring viewers closer to the pageantry and significance of the day, highlighting both the spectacle and the people who make it possible.
