Trooping the Colour LIVE: Kate Middleton will make her first public appearance since cancer diagnosis alongside King Charles as Royal fans and Republic protesters gather at the Mall

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Republic, a group that advocates the abolition of the monarchy, shared a post from activists who gathered outside Buckingham Palace ahead of the king’s official birthday parade.

It read: ‘It’s a sunny day (so far) for a protest! Join us outside Buckingham Palace from 9am.”

Read the full story here on MailOnline:

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Protesters and royal fans gather on The Mall

Anti-monarchy protesters began lining up The Mall today ahead of Trooping the Colour.

It comes as crowds arrive to support Kate Middleton ahead of her first public appearance this year.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 15: Buckingham Palace before Trooping the Color at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England.  Trooping the Color is a ceremonial parade in honor of the official birthday of the British monarch.  More than 1,400 soldiers and officers are present at the event, accompanied by 200 horses.  More than 400 musicians from ten different bands and Corps of Drums march and perform in perfect harmony.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Protesters wave banners on The Mall ahead of the Trooping the Color ceremony during the Horse Guards Parade in central London, as King Charles III celebrates his official birthday.  Date of photo: Saturday, June 15, 2024. PA Photo.  See PA story ROYAL Trooping.  Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 15: Members of the public ahead of the Trooping the Color at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England.  Trooping the Color is a ceremonial parade in honor of the official birthday of the British monarch.  More than 1,400 soldiers and officers are present at the event, accompanied by 200 horses.  More than 400 musicians from ten different bands and Corps of Drums march and perform in perfect harmony.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Ahead of today’s Trooping the Color, we’re reminiscing about the smiles, laughter and chaos of last year’s event.

Read the full story here on MailOnline:

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Royal fans gather on The Mall

Decked out in British regalia, royal fans camped close to Buckingham Palace hoping to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Wales.

Although the traditional ceremony officially starts after 10am, they have been waiting since early this morning.

One fan is even accompanied by a very special cardboard companion…

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 15: Joseph Afrane before the Trooping the Color at Buckingham Palace on June 15, 2024 in London, England.  Trooping the Color is a ceremonial parade in honor of the official birthday of the British monarch.  More than 1,400 soldiers and officers are present at the event, accompanied by 200 horses.  More than 400 musicians from ten different bands and Corps of Drums march and perform in perfect harmony.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Royal fans on The Mall ahead of the Trooping the Color ceremony during the Horse Guards Parade, central London, as King Charles III celebrates his official birthday.  Date of photo: Saturday, June 15, 2024. PA Photo.  See PA story ROYAL Trooping.  Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Royal fans on The Mall ahead of the Trooping the Color ceremony during the Horse Guards Parade, central London, as King Charles III celebrates his official birthday.  Date of photo: Saturday, June 15, 2024. PA Photo.  See PA story ROYAL Trooping.  Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

If you don’t fancy facing the hordes of tourists and royal fans on The Mall today, MailOnline reveals how you can watch Trooping the Color from the comfort of your own home.

The parade will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Live coverage starts on BBC One from 10.30am and runs until 1.10pm.

If you’re too busy to watch the event live, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer.

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Balcony at Buckingham Palace is prepared

The Princess of Wales will join other members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace later today, and staff have been busy getting it ready this morning:

Mandatory credits: Photo by Victoria Jones/Shutterstock (14539526d) Preparations are carried out on the balcony before Trooping The Color Trooping The Colour, London, UK - June 15, 2024
Mandatory credits: Photo by Victoria Jones/Shutterstock (14539526a) Preparations are carried out on the balcony before Trooping The Color Trooping The Colour, London, UK - June 15, 2024
Mandatory credits: Photo by Victoria Jones/Shutterstock (14539526d) Preparations are carried out on the balcony before Trooping The Color Trooping The Colour, London, UK - June 15, 2024

The Trooping the Color ceremony takes place to celebrate the birthday of Britain’s reigning monarch and has been held every year for 260 years.

The popular event will attract large crowds, who will be seen waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and through The Mall to the Horse Guard’s Parade, alongside members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

During the ceremony, King Charles will be greeted with a royal salute, before conducting an inspection of the troops, which consist of fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.

Read the full story here on MailOnline:

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Police patrol area before Trooping the Colour

Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers have been deployed on the ceremonial route to ensure the safety of those attending:

© Licensed to London News Pictures.  15/06/2024.  London, United Kingdom.  Members of the Royal Family attend the Trooping The Color ceremony in central London to mark King Charles III's official birthday.  Photo credit: Marcin Nowak/LNP
© Licensed to London News Pictures.  15/06/2024.  London, United Kingdom.  Police patrol in Westminster ahead of the Trooping The Color ceremony in central London to mark King Charles III's official birthday.  Photo credit: Marcin Nowak/LNP
© Licensed to London News Pictures.  15/06/2024.  London, United Kingdom.  Police patrol in Westminster ahead of the Trooping The Color ceremony in central London to mark King Charles III's official birthday.  Photo credit: Marcin Nowak/LNP

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until approximately 1 p.m. The route is as follows:

  • The Princess of Wales will travel through the Mall in a state carriage with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and watch the parade from the Major General’s office with the rest of the Royal Family.
  • The King will travel through The Mall from Buckingham Palace with an escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
  • Once the Horse Guards clock strikes 11am, the King will arrive to deliver the royal salute from the officers and men of the Household Division.
  • After the salute, the King will go up and down the ranks to inspect the troops.
  • The bands will then perform a musical ‘troop’ and the Regimental Color will be escorted through the ranks of the Guards.
  • The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march with their guns past His Majesty, The King’s Troop and Royal Horse Artillery.
  • The King will return to Buckingham Palace ahead of his guards before saluting in front of the palace railings as troops march past on their way to their barracks.
  • The ceremony ends at 12.25 pm.
  • The king will join other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a Royal Air Force flypast around 1 p.m.
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The royal family, led by Prince William, will support Kate in her ‘important’ return to public duties today. Read the full story on MailOnline:

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What time is Trooping the Color today?

Organizers have advised the public to line up on The Mall or on the edge of St James’s Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am.

The Trooping the Color parade starts at 10am, with the RAF parade at 1pm.

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With imposes a ‘substantial’ police operation

Scotland Yard is carrying out a ‘substantial’ police operation for the event, with anti-monarchy group Republic allowed to protest but not 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 9am. #NotMyKing #AbolishTheMonarchy.”

Hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers will be deployed on the ceremonial route to ensure the safety of those attending; tens of thousands are expected.

Royal fans gathered on The Mall today ahead of Trooping the Colour. Read this morning’s top story on MailOnline about the parade and what you can expect:

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Welcome to the MailOnline live blog

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as the Princess of Wales makes her first public appearance this year, joining her family at Trooping the Colour.

Kate, who has been undergoing treatment for an unknown form of cancer since the end of February, will today ride in a carriage for the traditional procession with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Later, she is expected to gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the fly-past along with the King, Prince of Wales and other royals.

Stay with MailOnline throughout the day for live updates.