Trooping the Colour 2026: How to Watch London's Biggest Royal Event (Free & Paid)
Over 1,350 soldiers. 200 horses. 400 musicians. An RAF flypast that rattles windows from St James's Park to Buckingham Palace. And the whole of The Mall, one of the most beautiful streets in the world, turned into a single long viewing gallery at no cost. Trooping the Colour 2026 is on Saturday 13 June, and you do not need a ticket.
Heading to London this June? The London Tourist Pass covers the Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, and Kensington Palace, among others. Pair it with a free morning on The Mall for one of the best value royal days in the calendar.
Quick Facts: Trooping the Colour 2026
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Main event (King's Birthday Parade) | Saturday 13 June 2026 |
| Rehearsal 1 (Major General's Review) | Saturday 30 May 2026 |
| Rehearsal 2 (Colonel's Review) | Saturday 6 June 2026 |
| Ceremony start | 10:00am — parade leaves Buckingham Palace |
| RAF flypast | 1:00pm over Buckingham Palace and The Mall |
| Location | Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, SW1A 2AX |
| Free viewing | The Mall and St James's Park edge — no ticket needed |
| Nearest tube | St James's Park (District/Circle) or Charing Cross (Northern/Bakerloo) |
| Dress code (free viewing) | None official, but smart casual is the tone of the crowd |
| Ticketed seats | Ballot closed March 2026 — not available for the main event |
What Is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour, formally the King's Birthday Parade, marks the official birthday of the British monarch. The ceremony has taken place each June since 1748, making it one of the oldest continuous military pageants in the world.
The "colour" refers to the regimental flag, or standard, of one of the five Foot Guards regiments. In 2026, the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards troop their colour, with His Majesty The King as Colonel-in-Chief. The parade begins at Buckingham Palace, proceeds down The Mall in formation, and arrives at Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall for the main ceremony. The procession then returns to the Palace along The Mall. At 1pm, aircraft from the Royal Air Force pass in tight formation directly over the Palace and above The Mall.
Two rehearsals take place on consecutive Saturdays before the main event: the Major General's Review (30 May) and the Colonel's Review (6 June). These are nearly identical to the main parade in scale and spectacle, and since they draw smaller crowds, they are an excellent alternative for visitors who want good sightlines without the peak-day crush.
How Do You Watch Trooping the Colour for Free?
Can you watch Trooping the Colour 2026 without tickets? Yes. The entire processional route along The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade is open to public viewing at no cost. You will not see the main ceremony at Horse Guards Parade itself, as that is ticketed, but you will see the full military procession — horses, bands, regiments in ceremonial dress — pass in front of you at close range. After the ceremony concludes, the procession returns along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, giving free viewers a second pass of the full column. The RAF flypast at 1pm is visible from anywhere on The Mall.
Best free viewing positions:
| Spot | What you see | Arrive by |
|---|---|---|
| The Mall (midway, left side facing Palace) | Full procession out and back, RAF flypast | 8:00–8:30am |
| St James's Park edge (along Birdcage Walk) | Procession, distant Horse Guards, flypast | 8:30am |
| In front of Buckingham Palace | Balcony appearance, RAF flypast | 11:30am (after procession passes) |
| Horse Guards Road (north end) | Partial ceremony view, procession | 9:00am |
The sequence of events on 13 June:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 10:00am | Procession leaves Buckingham Palace down The Mall |
| 10:45am | Ceremony begins at Horse Guards Parade |
| ~12:15pm | Procession returns down The Mall to the Palace |
| ~12:45pm | Royal Family appears on Buckingham Palace balcony |
| 1:00pm | RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace and The Mall |
Heading to London this June? The London Tourist Pass covers the Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, and Kensington Palace, among others. Pair it with a free morning on The Mall for one of the best value royal days in the calendar.
Where Exactly Should You Stand?
The Mall runs from Buckingham Palace at one end to Trafalgar Square at the other, with Horse Guards Parade at roughly the midpoint. The processional route travels The Mall in both directions.
The best free spot is midway up The Mall on the left side (facing the Palace), as close to the fence as you can get. This position gives you the procession heading towards Horse Guards, then the return procession, and a clear overhead view for the RAF flypast. The fence barrier also gives you something to lean against during the wait.
Police typically "walk the crowd" down The Mall after the procession passes. Following the officers forward gets you in front of Buckingham Palace for the balcony appearance without having needed to be there since dawn.
How early should I arrive for free viewing at Trooping the Colour 2026? For a good spot on The Mall with a clear view of the fence line, arrive by 8:00am. Positions from 8:00–9:00am give you a real choice of spots. After 9:30am, the crowd depth at the front builds significantly and finding an unobstructed view becomes harder. Many people arrive from 7:00am to guarantee front-row placement. Bring a folding chair or a jacket to sit on. You will be standing or sitting for 2–3 hours before the parade begins.
What About the Rehearsals?
Both rehearsals are open to public viewing from The Mall and operate at nearly the same scale as the main event. Tickets for the grandstand seating at the rehearsals do not require a ballot and can be purchased directly through the official ticket portal at kbp.army.mod.uk. Hospitality packages at the Guards Museum for both rehearsal days include welcome drinks, afternoon tea or a three-course lunch, a guest speaker, and a museum tour.
If 13 June does not fit your travel dates: the Colonel's Review on 6 June is the strongest alternative. Almost everything is identical — same route, same formations, same scale — with noticeably fewer people on The Mall.
Is it worth watching the rehearsals vs the main event? For free-viewing visitors, the rehearsals offer nearly identical spectacle with significantly less crowd pressure. The main event on 13 June carries the Royal Family balcony appearance and the confirmed full flypast, which the rehearsals do not always match. If your priority is photographs and clear sightlines, a rehearsal date is arguably better. If your priority is the full ceremonial occasion, 13 June is the one.
What to Do After Trooping the Colour
The ceremony is over by around 1:30pm, and you are already standing in the heart of royal London with the whole afternoon ahead. Here is how to build the rest of the day with your London Tourist Pass:
| Attraction | Walk from The Mall | LTP included? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill War Rooms | 8 min south | Yes | Arrive by 2pm to beat post-parade crowd |
| Westminster Abbey | 10 min south | Yes | LTP valid after 1pm in June, July, and August |
| Kensington Palace | 20 min west through Hyde Park | Yes | £20.60 individually. Queen's State Apartments close from 15 June 2026 for renovation — check hrp.org.uk before visiting |
| Horse Guards Museum | On site | Check LTP inclusions | — |
Alike tip: After the flypast, walk directly to Churchill War Rooms. The surrounding streets fill fast as the crowd disperses and popular attractions queue up. Arriving at the War Rooms by 2pm means you beat the post-event surge by at least 45 minutes.
Where to eat near The Mall on parade day: The St James's Park café opens early and fills up fast — arrive before 10am or after 1:30pm. The Caffe in the Park, also in St James's Park, is a better option for sitting outdoors. Avoid Trafalgar Square restaurants on parade day. Victoria Street, 10 minutes south, has a full range at normal prices.
Photography Tips for Trooping the Colour
The best shot from free viewing is the cavalry column in formation from the midpoint of The Mall, facing the Palace. If you position yourself on the left-hand fence (facing the Palace), the horses come towards you and then past you — two angles in one spot. For the RAF flypast, point your camera directly up or slightly north from your Mall position, as the formation comes from that direction before passing over the Palace. The flypast lasts approximately 60 seconds. Video is often more effective than a single still for it. No tripods are permitted on The Mall on parade day.
What to Wear and Bring
There is no official dress code for free viewing along The Mall, but this is a formal British occasion and the crowd reflects that. Most people wear smart casual. Indian visitors who want to dress traditionally will fit perfectly — this is an occasion where colour and elegance are entirely at home.
Bring: a folding chair or picnic blanket, snacks (the wait is 2–3 hours before the parade begins), a waterproof layer in case of rain, and charged phones. Do not bring large bags. Security is active and bag checks slow your entry to viewing areas.
Can You Watch Trooping the Colour Online?
The BBC broadcasts the King's Birthday Parade live on BBC One from 10:30am to 1:10pm, with highlights on BBC Two at 7pm. The broadcast is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Indian visitors watching from home can access BBC iPlayer via a VPN set to a UK server.
Planning your London trip around the parade?
Let Eia, Alike's AI trip planner, build a full-day plan around Trooping the Colour — what to do in the morning before claiming your spot, where to eat on a busy parade day, and which LTP attractions to visit in the afternoon. Done in minutes.
Prices correct as of June 2026. Always verify LTP inclusions and attraction opening status at alike.io/london-tourist-passes before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I still get tickets for Trooping the Colour 2026?
Can I still get tickets for Trooping the Colour 2026?
Is Trooping the Colour 2026 free to watch?
Is Trooping the Colour 2026 free to watch?
What time should I arrive at The Mall for the best free view?
What time should I arrive at The Mall for the best free view?
What will I actually see at Trooping the Colour from The Mall?
What will I actually see at Trooping the Colour from The Mall?
Is it worth watching the Colonel's Review on 6 June instead of the main event?
Is it worth watching the Colonel's Review on 6 June instead of the main event?
What should I do after Trooping the Colour with the London Tourist Pass?
What should I do after Trooping the Colour with the London Tourist Pass?
