King Charles and Prince Edward.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Edwardis ready to ride.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 59, will support his older brotherKing Charlesat the firstTrooping the Colourof the new reign on Saturday with a personal first: taking part in the monarch’s public birthday celebrations on horseback. PEOPLE can confirm Prince Edward will participate in the procession on horseback in his role as Colonel of the London Guards, the army reserve battalion of the Guards Division. The new battalion was formed as a product of the military reforms in May 2022.
Also likely riding in the parade will be King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William, who all participated in last year’s event. The King succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth as Colonel-in-Chief of all seven regiments of the household division while Princess Anne is Colonel of the Blues and Royals and Prince William is now Colonel of the Welsh Guards (a fitting role that ties in with his title as the Prince of Wales).
Last year, Prince Edward rode in a coach with his wife Sophie (recently given the title of the Duchess of Edinburgh) and their two children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex. The foursome then joined Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Lady Louise, Sophie and Prince Edward in 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from their working royal roles and Prince Andrew giving up public life in the wake of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Edward and Sophie have stepped up as important senior members of the royal family.
In March, coinciding with Prince Edward’s 59th birthday,King Charles named his youngest sibling as the Duke of Edinburgh, a title that previously belonged to their father, Prince Philip.
It had beenPrince Philip’s wish that his youngest son would receive the title after his death.
Towards the end of his life, Prince Edward – alongside Sophie — continued representingPrince Philipat award ceremonies for the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering program for young people, whichQueen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years created.
Trooping the Colour 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
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King Charles, 74, being on horseback at Trooping the Colour on Saturday will mark the first time the British monarch has ridden in the parade since 1986 when Queen Elizabeth last participated as a rider. In the years that followed, the Queen opted to take a carriage instead.
source: people.com
