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Trooping the Colour…ful outfits: The best royal looks from Britain’s most iconic parade over the years

Immortalising the event in its own right.
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Whenever June rolls around each year, there are several things we immediately think of.

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Our winter wardrobes (for obvious reasons), the fact that we’re already halfway through the year (again, for despairingly obvious reasons) and, of course, one of the biggest events on the royal calendar – Trooping the Colour.

Oh yes, a day that serves up a healthy dose of pomp, fanfare and a royal spectacle – from the very balcony of Buckingham Palace, no less – this is always going to be a day we none blue-blooded folk will gladly flock to feast our eyeballs on.

And there’s one overriding element to the day’s events that always keeps us on our toes – the outfits.

Held in honour of the reigning sovereign’s birthday, the annual event occurs at Buckingham Palace and takes place before a regal procession of horse-drawn carriages, many of which host the royal family members themselves as they make their way into the location.

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Then comes the iconic flyover, which coincides with the moment the entire royal family step out onto the balcony together to watch, and wave to onlookers.

Over the years, the event has seen many a colourful moment – and we’re not just talking about Prince George’s hilarious displays or Prince Louis’ frantic wave. And while this year will certainly look a little different pending the attendance and ongoing health battles faced by senior royals, loyal fans of the annual event will continue to indulge in the spectacle.

Oh yes, and of course the outfits, which truly put the cherry on top of the fun-filled day.

Keep scrolling for our favourite Trooping the Colour outfits of all time.

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(Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

01

2024: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Always dressing for the occasion, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wowed the crowds with a beautiful sunshine yellow ensemble.

(Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

02

2024: Catherine, Princess of Wales

In her first public appearance since her health update in March earlier this year, Princess Catherine wore a beautiful monochromatic outfit. Looking to designer’s she knows and love, she wore a Phillip Treacy hat and Jenny Packham dress.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

03

2024: Lady Louise

Lady Louise, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked positively royal in a beautiful white and blue dress, with matching hat. Fun fact: she wore this dress previously to the King’s coronation…stylish and sustainable.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

04

2024: Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla sported a pastel blue coat and dress set, paired with a cream hat and neutral bag and gloves.

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(Credit: (Image: Getty))

05

1982: Princess Diana

Princess Diana was a fashion icon at the event from the get-go. Pictured here in 1982 shortly after her wedding to Prince Charles and pregnant to first son William, the beautiful Princess opted for a bold green maternity dress with a matching hat.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

07

1987: Princess Diana & Sarah Ferguson

In 1987, Diana and in-law Sarah Ferguson swapped fashion notes by opting for brimmed hats during the annual event. We’re particularly fond of Diana’s stark white look, which looked timelessly classy and chic.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

08

1988: Princess Diana

A year later, Diana was back to her green roots, wearing this iconic peppermint and white ensemble, which adorably matched with a cheeky Prince Harry.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

09

1991: Princess Diana & Sarah Ferguson

The royal women were back at it again in 1991 – Diana and Fergie’s ensembles were a 1990s fashion peak.

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(Credit: (Image: Getty))

10

2007: Princess Beatrice

Following in her mother Sarah’s footsteps, Beatrice has always been known to make quite the fashion statement at the event throughout the years. This standout hat, worn in 2007, is case in point!

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

11

2011

Newly married to Prince William, Duchess Catherine made her grand debut in 2011 alongside in-law Camilla in a beautiful white Alexander McQueen coat.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

12

2016: Queen Elizabeth

Ever the colour chameleon, Queen Elizabeth II went bold as she went home for the 2016 Trooping the Colour parade. A zesty green never goes amiss!

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

13

2017: Princess Catherine

Another year, another Alexander McQueen coat for the fashion forward Kate in 2017. In a Diana mirror moment, she also subtly matched with her daughter Charlotte for the occasion.

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14

2018: Queen Camilla & Princess Catherine

In 2018, Catherine and Camilla opted for muted ice blue tones for the spectacle. Once again, Kate’s designer of choice was Alexander McQueen – a fashion hack worth noting!

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

15

2018: Meghan Markle

Duchess Meghan broke onto the Trooping the Colour scene with flying, well… colours in 2018. Mere weeks after her showstopping royal wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan’s pastel pink Carolina Herrera dress became an icon in itself.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

16

2018: Princess Catherine & Meghan Markle

Meghan and Kate shared a sweet bonding moment during the day’s event.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

17

2019: Meghan Markle

In 2019, Meghan made one of her first post-baby appearances after welcoming baby Archie to the royal fold just a month earlier. The Duchess’ navy blue Givenchy ensemble was the perfect, statement-making comeback outfit.

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(Credit: (Image: Getty))

18

2019: Princess Beatrice & Princess Eugenie

Eugenie and Beatrice did nothing to quell the notion to claim that Trooping the Colour is a right royal fashion spectacle. Beatrice’s pale pink dress with black detailing was subtle, yet sweet, while Eugenie’s printed blue frock was an undeniable eye-catcher.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

19

2019: Princess Catherine

True to tradition, Kate wore a yellow Alexander McQueen frock to the event in 2019, a look that almost (emphasis on almost) stole the show over Prince Louis’ adorable balcony debut.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

20

2022

In 2022, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was a vision in her crisp white coat dress by Alexander McQueen. She had previously worn the outfit in 2021.

(Credit: (Image: Getty))

20

2022

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wore a sky blue stripy dress with pearls and a blue hat for the 2022 Trooping the Colour.

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(Credit: (Image: Getty))

21

2022

For her Platinum Jubilee official birthday parade, the Queen looked distinguished in her sky blue coat and hat with floral motif trimming, but her sunglasses were a special highlight.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 17: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Catherine, Princess of Wales (Colonel of The Irish Guards) returns to Buckingham Palace in a horse drawn carriage after attending Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 in London, England. Trooping the Colour is a traditional military parade held at Horse Guards Parade to mark the British Sovereign's official birthday. It will be the first Trooping the Colour held for King Charles III since he ascended to the throne. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
(Credit: Getty Images)

22

2023

The 2023 Trooping the Colour was a memorable occasion for many reasons, one being the first for Kate Middleton as the Princess of Wales.

Her style choice of course held many hidden meanings not lost on those who understood the significance of the occasion. Catherine’s green tailored dress was designed by Singapore-born Andrew GN, a nod to the 2023 Earthshot Prize Ceremony held and attended by her husband Prince William.

Along with her new title, Catherine also took on a new role as Colonel of the Irish Guards, which she recognised in her choice of colourway as well as the Cartier brooch.

(Credit: Getty Images)

23

2023

In their first Trooping the Colour as King and Queen, Their Majesties looked like a uniformed match!

The 2023 event was the first long-held tradition in honour of King Charles himself which meant all eyes were on the pair.

Queen Camilla, like many others, was appointed the new role of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, a role that inspired her choice of outfit. Camilla’s epaulettes reflected her rank and title and her black Philip Treacy hat an intentional nod to the traditional bearskin hats of the Grenadier Guards.

(Credit: Getty Images)

24

2023

In a wonderful act of sustainability, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, opted for a dress and hat she had previously been seen in before.

In 2023 at the annual Trooping the Colours, the wife of Prince Edward chose to re-wear a cream Belulah London dress and ivory wide-brimmed hat previously seen on the Duchess at the 2014 Royal Ascot.

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