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Royal fans gather on The Mall
Decked out in British regalia, royal fans have been camping out close to Buckingham Palace in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Princess of Wales.
Although the traditional ceremony officially begins after 10am, they have been waiting since early this morning.
One fan is even joined by a very special cardboard companion...
How to watch Trooping the Colour
If you don't fancy facing the hordes of tourists and royal fans on The Mall today, MailOnline reveals how to watch Trooping the Colour from the comfort of your own sofa.
The parade will be broadcast live on the BBC.
Live coverage begins on BBC One from 10.30am running all the way through to 1.10pm.
If you are too busy to watch the event live, you will be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
MailOnline will have a livestream of the ceremony available on our YouTube channel.
Balcony at Buckingham Palace is prepared
The Princess of Wales join other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony later today, and staff have been busy getting it ready this morning:
What is Trooping the Colour? Parade explained
The Trooping the Colour ceremony takes place to celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch in the UK and has been held every year for the past 260 years.
The popular event will attract big crowds, who will be seen waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard's Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
During the ceremony, King Charles will be greeted by a royal salute, before carrying out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.
Read the full story on MailOnline here:
Police patrol area ahead of Trooping the Colour
Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers have been deployed on the ceremonial route to ensure the safety and security of attendees:
Trooping the Colour route map
The ceremony begins at 10am and lasts until around 1pm. The route is as follows:
- The Princess of Wales will travel with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in a state carriage down the Mall and watch the parade from the Major General's Office with the rest of the royal family.
- The King will travel down The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Once the clock on Horse Guards strikes 11am the King will arrive to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division.
- Following the salute, The King will go up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops.
- The bands will then perform a musical 'troop' and the Regimental Colour will be escorted up and down the ranks of Guards.
- The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past His Majesty, The King's Troop and Royal Horse Artillery with their guns.
- The King will head back to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before taking the salute in front of the Palace railings as the troops march past on their way to their barracks.
- The ceremony is due to finish at 12.25pm.
- The King joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force at approximately 1pm.
What time is Trooping the Colour today?
Organisers have advised the public to stand on The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am.
The Trooping the Colour parade will start at 10am, with the RAF flypast at 1pm.
Met imposes 'substantial' policing operation
Scotland Yard has a 'substantial' policing operation for the event, with anti-monarchy group Republic allowed to protest but banned from using amplified sound.
In a post on X today, Republic said: 'It’s a lovely sunny day (so far) for a protest! Join us, outside Buckingham Palace from 9.00am. #NotMyKing #AbolishTheMonarchy.'
Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers will be deployed on the ceremonial route to ensure the safety and security of attendees, with tens of thousands expected.
Welcome to MailOnline’s liveblog
Good morning and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage as the Princess of Wales is set to make her first public appearance this year, joining her family at Trooping the Colour.
Kate, who has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, will ride in a carriage alongside her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the traditional procession today.
Later, she is expected to gather with the King, the Prince of Wales and other royals on Buckingham Palace's balcony for the fly-past.
Stay with MailOnline throughout today for live updates.
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