With both King Charles and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, undergoing treatment for cancer, this has been a difficult year for the royal family.
Rarely has there been a greater need for an uplifting royal occasion – something that Trooping the Color could provide in a fortnight’s time.
The King’s Birthday Parade, as it is well known, should be a chance to celebrate many of the things we love most about the monarchy: its tradition, its connection with our armed forces and its sense of public service – as well as its colour, splendor and pageantry.
Last June we only saw the ‘working royals’ and their families on the balcony
Traditionally, Trooping was also an opportunity to toast the extended royal family on the monarch’s official birthday.
Inviting underage royals to join her on the balcony of Buckingham Palace had been the late Queen Elizabeth’s way of thanking relatives for their support.
Meanwhile, the public enjoyed a glimpse into what was partly a private family affair.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed seeing the younger royals and how they had changed over the past twelve months. They added a touch of color, youthful appearance and even glamour.
However, the last time that happened was in 2019.
It all changed when the Covid pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. National lockdowns were enforced and Queen Elizabeth took part in drastically curtailed ceremonies on her own. Trooping was temporarily moved from Horse Guards Parade to Windsor Castle.
It has at least saved Her Majesty from the thorny question of what to do with the Sussexes and her beloved but disgraced second son, the Duke of York.
When Trooping the Color returned in 2022, it was a double celebration as the country also marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of her record-breaking reign.
The Sussexes, who have stepped down from royal duties, were seen with Kate and William at an event in 2018
Prince Andrew’s presence on the balcony with Charles would be an embarrassment. Here he takes center stage during the funeral of the former king of Greece in March
Although all members of her family were invited to join the party, including Prince Harry and Meghan, as well as Prince Andrew, only ‘working royals’ were invited to appear on the balcony.
This meant the Queen avoided offending the Sussexes, who had resigned from royal duties, or Andrew, who had been stripped of them.
But it also ended decades of tradition. The little royals were now banished from view.
For me, there was something sad about the sparsely populated balcony that remained – and still exists, as King Charles has decided to stick with this rather radical change after he comes to the throne in 2022.
Last June we once again only saw the ‘working royals’ and their families on the balcony. This included the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence, as well as Prince Edward, Sophie and their two children. We also saw the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who have stepped into the breach in recent months, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
In my opinion, this year should see a return to the old tradition.
The king should invite all members of the extended royal family to join him and Queen Camilla as they step out to welcome the crowds.
For example, what about Zara and Mike Tindall, who are so popular with the public? Or the Duke of Kent’s children, like Lady Helen Taylor, or even the Duke’s glamorous granddaughters, Lady Amelia Windsor and her sister Lady Marina?
That is, all except Prince Andrew, whose presence would be an embarrassment. And the Sussexes, whose participation would be an insult to the royal family and its millions of supporters.
A full balcony would cheer up the nation. It would be a boost for the monarchy in a difficult time.
It would be a powerful display of unity and strength.