If you live in England or in London in June, then you must attend Trooping the Colour 2026 and see The Royal Family. It’s The Sovereign’s annual birthday celebration. For the King’s Birthday Parade in London, there will be a procession from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace, a royal balcony appearance, and RAF show. The parade includes various members of The Royal Family that you do not want to miss.
Here’s everything you need to get the best view of Trooping the Colour to see The Royal Family without securing a spot at the crack of dawn. And how to make a full British day of it with the kids, too!
This post explains where to go to catch the return of King Charles III and The Royal Family from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace, royal balcony appearance, and RAF.
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Trooping The Colour will take place on 13, June 2026. The specific times in this post for the best view to see the Royal Family are based on attending in 2021, 2018 and 2017. On all years, the schedule only deviated by a few minutes.
Trooping the Colour has historically started at 10am and ended with the fly-past at 1pm. It will be King Charles III’s fourth birthday parade as Colonel-in-Chief, and it happens to be his 76th birthday. There is no indication that the Trooping the Colour schedule or order of events will differ from previous years.
For the official event details, check out Trooping the Colour 2026.
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Table of Contents
For the best view of Trooping the Colour to see The Royal Family:
1 – Events Begin At Approximately 10
Members of the public are advised to stand from along The Mall or St James Park, from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace, starting from 9am. But if you’re traveling with kids, a 9am arrival can make for a very early morning if you’re traveling from outside London. And standing for a long period of time with children requires a fair amount of patience.
My recommendation is to wait. You can still get the best view of Trooping The Colour without arriving by 9 or even 10 for that matter.
2- Arrive by 11
Though there are a few ways to travel to Buckingham Palace, find a route that leads to St James’s Park Underground Station. Upon exiting St James’s Park Underground Station, cross the road and continue straight up to The Mall. You’ll cross the footbridge over the lake.
3 – Where to stand to watch Trooping the Colour
Find a spot about 3/4ths along The Mall. Turn right once you reach The Mall and find an open spot or area about halfway to 3/4ths up. This spot is important because it’s where they will open the barricades once The King has gone by. If you find a spot with adults only, they will likely let your children through for a prime spot against the barricade. I advise against bringing chairs to Trooping The Colour because of the crowds. Unless medically necessary, leave chairs at home. Everyone is standing so views would be obstructed while sitting down.
Plan on hanging out for about an hour until The Royal Family starts their carriage ride return up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Harry and Meghan waving at Trooping the Colour June 2018
4 – Stay put and enjoy the carriages as they ride by at 12:09
You will not be disappointed. Different members of the royal family appear annually in Trooping the Colour, but you’ll most certainly see The King and Queen.
5 – Don’t follow the crowds once The King rides past at 12:21
You’ll be tempted to walk to Buckingham Palace along the Mall to catch The Royal Family balcony appearance along with everyone else, but don’t do it. Wait for the police to open the barricades, which will happen after the trucks clean up behind the horses. Once the barricades are open, you’ll be able to enter onto the road and walk straight up the Mall on the road to Buckingham Palace. You avoid the massive crowds by doing this.
6 – Pay attention to the time to not miss the balcony appearance at 12:57
Walk as fast as you can towards Buckingham Palace. The road will be open with far fewer people to navigate through than if you had walked along the Mall St James’s Park pathway. You’ll have a front-row viewing of The Royal Family.
7 – Helicopters overhead indicate the start of the RAF parade at 12:59
If you see the helicopters start flying overhead towards Buckingham Palace, the royal air show is about to begin. If you’re not at Buckingham Palace yet, it’s your choice to either stop and enjoy the show or walk a bit faster to catch The Royal Family balcony appearance before the air parade picks up speed.
8 – The red, white, and blue jets mark the end of the air show at 1:02
If you didn’t make it to Buckingham Palace you still have about 1 minute to see The Royal Family before they return inside. The family members stay on the balcony for the air show but return inside within 1 minute of its ending. Since this is only King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s second official Birthday Parade, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they stayed on the balcony a bit longer than Queen Elizabeth did.
9 – BONUS: Catch a front-row viewing of the horses as they return to Horse Guard’s Parade at 1:09
Move to the right side of Buckingham Palace, in front of Green Park, to catch 2-3 minutes of the horses start their return.
If you follow these steps and resist the temptation to follow the crowds, you will have the best view of Trooping the Colour to see the royal family.
Trooping the Colour Map 2026
Buckingham Palace, along The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade & back
Tips to make Trooping the Colour 2026 a full family British day out
1 – Pack a picnic lunch and blanket
Immediately following Trooping of the Colour, find a shady spot in Green Park. Chairs are for rent, and a food stand is available, though wait lines will be long.
Enjoy a picnic in Green Park, London
2 – Bring snacks and water bottles for the afternoon
Fill up water bottles in the drinking fountain just outside Green Park Station.
3 – Toilets are located in Green Park Station
Bring 50p to use them.
British Shops & Easy Restaurant Spot After Trooping The Colour
If shopping and eating out are more your family’s thing, there are some amazing British sites just past Green Park on Piccadilly:
- Fortnum & Mason – Hampers, teas, biscuits, and conserves, like Gin & Damson. Book afternoon tea or purchase a keepsake.
- The Clarence – For fabulous British fare!
- Gaucho– Fantastic outdoor lunch spot for people viewing and burgers. Ask for the kids’ menu. Be sure to reserve the Gaucho Picadilly location.
What To Wear For Trooping The Colour
While most people wear comfortable clothes and shoes to enjoy a day in London for Trooping The Colour, some attendees will dress in full Union Jack suits and other eccentric UK-themed costumes. To accessorize for the occasion, consider:
- Union Jack sunglasses
- Union Jack bucket hat
- Union Jack headband, fascinator, or UK scarf to use for multi-purpose
- King Charles flags to wave as the King His Majesty and the Royal Family ride by
- And lastly, don’t forget accessories for the dog
Final Thoughts On Best Place To Watch Trooping The Colour
No matter how you choose to spend the afternoon, seeing The Royal Family up close is fun for all ages. Arrive as early as you want but know that even if you’re not along The Mall at the crack of dawn, you can still catch the parade for the King’s 76th birthday celebration.
Once you experience the best view of Trooping the Colour to see The Royal Family, you will plan to return and make it a new family tradition for years to come. Can’t attend Trooping the Colour? Try these other uniquely British experiences.
Looking for more British experiences? Try these.
35 comments
I agree. Very bad advice Andrew snd imagine how foolish I looked when I told people barricades were not coming down. I also missed the opportunity of a lifetime to walk down the mall to see her majesty. I’m sad I listened to him
This is a good guide but unfortunately in 2022 things were a little different as it was a jubilee year and also a feeling amongst the public that perhaps this was the last TtC for Her Maj, so crowds were enormous. We arrived 7.30am and crowds were already about 10-15 feet from the barriers all along The Mall. Access to the Victoria Memorial roundabout area was blocked. The grandstands around here were reserved for members of the UK armed forces, quite rightly so.
It was disappointing that Her Maj didn’t even make the trip in a vehicle and for 95% of us plebs, sorry, crowds who couldn’t see the balcony due to the restrictions, the grandstands and the stage.
It’s a shame there’s no official guide to show people exactly where is cordoned off. Still, we met some great people from Northwich to New York City and a lady who’s boyfriend was taking part as one of the Irish Guards. The atmosphere is very British, it’s a great time to meet ordinary Brits.
Hi Taz. Indeed it was unpredictable and the number of spectators I believe exceeded what they anticipated – though makes total sense. I do hope and sounds as though you had a memorable experience. I met a local who lives near the Palace & he returned home after fighting the crowds. I attended the Jubille Pageant and although crowded, met lovely people from all over and was an amazing experience. x
This is a great post, very informative! I live in the UK and been going to TTC around 6/7 years now. Currently in the train down! Absolutely GUTTED that they’re not opening the barriers this year for the balcony appearance, which will likely be one of the last few chances ppl will get to see this appearance. I understand the stage getting in the way, but I don’t really understand the ‘safety’ argument as they’ve managed to feed ppl into the area safely for 70 years! I know how bitterly disappointed the 10’s of 1000’s of ppl on the mall will be gutted if this turns out to be the case… especially as the Queen will not likely be taking the carriages to horse guards this year and therefore the only chance of seeing her would be the balcony appearance.
Hi Lori, Can we access the Mall through St James park? I saw a map that said unticketed entry was on the green park side.
Hi Deborah! I’m sorry for seeing your comment so late. I hope you were able to attend and had a great time despite the crowds.x
Hi Lori: Thank you very much for such amazing advice, Also, thank you to everyone the is posting here so it makes it easy for us to get to the best place. Let’s hope for good weather 🙂
Hi Patricia! You’re welcome. Did you see Andrew’s comment? He posted the latest information after walking by Buckingham Palace a couple days ago. x
Thank you so much for all of the great information. I originally had this trip planned from the U.S. for 2020 and it’s my dream to see the Queen. It sounds like from the recent comments that that will be impossible. Given that information, do you have a recommendation for the best place to camp for just a good view of the parade?
Hi Robin. Get there early and secure a spot along The Mall along the barricade (as I described) so that you have front row viewing. I hope there is still a position to see the balcony but the grandstand structure seems to massively obstruct any view. I really hope you have the best time. Just seeming the carriages is wonderful Xx
Hi Lori, I’m also just a party of one. A 64 year old lady from the USA!! I may arrive earlier then planned and find a spot as close to Buckingham palace as I can. Bella if you are a party of one perhaps we could meet up and watch together. I know it will be fantastic and I’m was so looking forward to the balcony appearance. I will do my best to get a good view. Thank you so so much for the heads up. So I am planning on a ride ( tube ) early that morning to st James exit. I’ll walk to find best spot near the railings but closer to BP. Is that your best suggestion?!
Hi Jamie. How exciting for you!! Normally, yes but read Andrew’s comments. He walked past there on his way to work and talked to the police. 2 things they told him: 1 – they aren’t opening the barricades up for people to walk up towards BP balcony vs years past for security reasons, and 2 – the grandstand for ticket holders only is actually blocking the balcony view for people standing along the sides etc. my suggestion is to arrive as early as you can and secure a spot where you at least have front row access to see the Royal Family ride by in their carriages. I’d love to know how it goes for you! x
Thanks for the heads up Andrew. This is really disappointing, and in two minds if it’s worth going now as dead set on walking up The Mall to get good view of the Palace. So there is absolutely no chance of seeing the Palace unless you have a ticket for the Parade? Can people not arrive early and head to the sides of Victoria Monument at least, or is it completely all sectioned off with the stadium seating?
Hi Lori can I start the day by standing next to the Buckingham palace gates? or is that closed off in the morning and we have to be along the Mall/ Park side to begin with?
I want to be at the front on the gates for the balcony wave haha! It’s only me going so can get there early.
Any tips?
Hi Bella, since it’s just you, I would wiggle in where you can by the gates, but read Andrew’s comment. They are not allowing people to storm The Mall or get near the palace – the wave will be for media & tv purposes only. I can’t imagine The Royal Family not keeping up with tradition and the balcony wave.
I would get there as early as you can to find out your best options – if the stage truly blocks the balcony view.
Great guide, thank you, but I’m a little confused exactly where along the The Mall you recommend please? Following the path from the foot bridge in St James Park (so you come out of the gates opposite Marlborough Road), you said to ‘turn right’ from there, so as you are walking away from the Palace? Is this correct? Basically trying to determine where to stand for when the gates open up please?
In another old thread elsewhere. people advised to stand at the very end of The Mall furthest away from the Palace as that’s where the police first open the gates, and then slow walk/lead the crowd up to the Palace, thus if you stand at the end of The Mall, you will be the first lot to arrive at the gates of the Palace.
Hi Dean. Correct, you are walking down The Mall away from the palace. Andrew just added a comment that a decision was made to NOT open the barriers – for security reasons. If he can send me the pics I’ll add to the post.
They are not opening any barriers this year as the stage around the Victoria Monument has been built for the concernt and members of the public would be a liability. On passing this morning on my way to work I spoke with the police. Only those with tickets to the Parade will be permitted to follow the royal party back up the mall and stand outside the railings of the palace. There is no view from the Mall of the palace as the stadium tier style seating and the stage obstruct this. The police confirmed the Balcony appearance will be for the benefit of the media and TV. I took photos but unable to post them here but sharing them with my friends they all asked “wheres the palace” and I said “behind the stage”.
Hi Andrew. Thank you so much for sharing this information. The official site has not posted or shared this information. It makes sense to add all the extra precautions. Thank you again!!
Andrew, if you want to email the pics to my abroadpurpose gmail, I can upload them to your post here.
Bad advice, Andrew! They did open things as usual and many people without tickets to the actual event were able to get up The Mall and see the Queen on the balcony despite the stage, so definitely not only for tv/media. I didn’t bother since I thought it wasn’t happening and missed out big. The police simply have no idea and are not good sources for these kinds of things.
Hi Lori, I’m coming from Arizona USA to see this. I’m hoping to arrive early to get the best views as possible.
Hi Jamie! Yes, this year I would get there as early as you can. You will be standing for a long time but worth it. x
Hi Lori 🙂 From my understanding, the best place to stand is closer to the horseguards than to green park? and then they ideally would open the barriers starting at horseguards and the crowd can walk up to buckingham palace?
or is the best place near green park along the mall and then once they open the barricades, we can go onto the road in front of the palace?
Hi Dalia! You can certainly go to Horseguards and then walk to Green Park after but be sure you leave early enough before everyone else does the same. I’ve done that before (gone to Horseguards but left to secure a spot on The Mall before the Horseguards ceremony was over) and it worked well.
But if you want to secure a spot and forego Horseguards Parade, secure a spot along The Mall and then towards the balcony once all the different carriages of The Royal Family have driven by – that’s when security opens up The Mall and you can scurry towards the balcony.
I hope this helps. Let me know. x
Hi!! I’m going to London from Arizona for trooping the Colour the queens jubilee. No I don’t have tickets so I’ll be finding a spot on the mall. My friend who went several years ago said she bought and brought a very small folding chair and sit and read or people watch. And she suggests arriving by 7-8 am.
Hi Jamie
Yes, you can totally bring a chair if you plan to arrive early. A chair will work (if you don’t mind carrying it) if you plan to secure a spot along the fence/barricade. If you plan to arrive early enough (I think 7-8 is good) to secure a position in the front, having a chair will be far more comfortable than standing or sitting on the ground waiting. With kids, we just can’t do that but if you’re traveling without kids, totally worth it!
Have fun! We’ll be there too! x
Hi Lori, my chair is very compact and fits in a backpack. I think I’ll get tired standing that long. As an American should I or could I wear a cute dress or do most people dress more casual??
Hi Lori, my chair is very compact and fits in a backpack. I think I’ll get tired standing that long. As an American should I or could I wear a cute dress or do most people dress more casual?? Just was wondering about clothing.
Hi Jamie. Great question as to what to wear to Trooping The Colour. Generally most people are casual/comfortable but typically have Union Jack accessories on them or with them (flag for example). Some people wear Union Jack outfits head-to-toe and others may dress more like the Queen with fascinators. I’ll add a few examples to this post with links for ideas on what to wear. I’m personally considering a Queen inspired dress with comfortable trainers, and Union Jack flags for the kids.
Can you provide a map for the best place to secure a spot? This is so helpful!!
Hi Alexandra. Thank you for the kind feedback. If I can get to creating one, I’ll publish and send a reply here. Hopefully next year the Queen will celebrate again! x
Hi there, wud u mind showing us exactly where to stand on the mall from where they open the barricades up first? Thanks for your excellent guide
Hi Carl. Please see Andrew’s comment. I’ll also update in bold at the top of this post. Essentially Andrew checked things out on his way to work by BP and chatted with the police – 1- they are not opening the barricades for security reasons this year, 2- the grandstand they built for ticket holders by Victoria Gate obstructs the balcony appearance. While, I’m hoping there is still a place to see the Royal Family on the balcony, I advise arriving very early and secure a front row position along the barricade lining The Mall. Best of luck!!! xx