Moment Queen Elizabeth II 'told off' Prince William over his behaviour with son George at Trooping the Colour
The moment occurred during the Trooping the Colour celebrations in 2016
A resurfaced clip of Queen Elizabeth II subtly scolding Prince William during the Trooping the Colour celebration has resurfaced in the lead-up to this year’s event.
Trooping the Colour is one of the most important royal events of the year. It marks the monarch’s official birthday with an elaborate military parade and a Royal Air Force flypast.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William at Trooping the Colour
Fans are now rewatching a moment from the 2016 event, when Queen Elizabeth II, then 90, tapped Prince William on the arm seeming to signal him to “stand up” and face forward.
At the time, William was crouched down explaining the airshow to young Prince George.
However, it seems the queen appeared to find the gesture too casual for the occasion, particularly with tens of thousands watching from The Mall and millions more via TV.
In the video, William is seen kneeling beside George to explain the upcoming flypast. Meanwhile, daughter Princess Charlotte, who was making her Trooping the Colour debut that year, was being held by mum Kate.
With tens of thousands of people gathered below and millions watching live, the Queen appears to find her grandson’s crouching position slightly disrespectful or, at the very least, poorly timed.
As the aircraft approach and all other senior royals stand in formation, the Queen glances toward William, gently nudges him, and appears to say something.
William quickly straightens up, looking momentarily sheepish before turning back to enjoy the show with the crowd.
That year’s ceremony coincided with Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday and was particularly symbolic.
Trooping the Colour 2025
Meanwhile, this year’s Trooping the Colour will see a notable change as King Charles skips a major royal tradition for the second year in a row.
The annual parade is set to take place on Saturday, June 14, in London.
In 2023, his first Trooping the Colour as monarch, the king rode on horseback to take the salute. However, this year, he will ride in a carriage alongside Queen Camilla.
Following his cancer diagnosis in 2024, the king has made a few key changes to his public engagements to accommodate his health.
According to The Times, 2023 was likely the final time Charles participated in the parade from the saddle. It’s been deemed safer for him to remain in a carriage.
The tradition of the monarch riding horseback dates back to 1901. Charles was the first to revive it since Queen Elizabeth II last did so in 1986.
Charles, once an avid rider and polo player, has now largely stepped back from the saddle.
This is in contrast to the late Queen, who rode until just months before her passing at 96.
The ceremony itself, however, remains largely unchanged. It will feature over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians.
This year, the Irish Guards will take centre stage, and members of the royal family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, are expected to appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony following the RAF flypast.
Read more: Unexpected reason King Charles has two birthdays every year
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