William practices for Trooping the Colour next week where he will be stepping in for the Queen

Prince William was up early this morning to rehearse the Queen’s annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour. The Duke of Cambridge, 39, looked incredibly smart in his red and blue military uniform, which he teamed with the traditional bearskin hat. On his chest he proudly displayed a myriad of gleaming medals as he went through the practice session, which is known as the Colonel’s Review.

The Queen’s birthday on June 2 sees her Household Division troops march and ride on Horse Guards Parade, with Her Majesty usually attending and taking the salute. But this year, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal will ride on the parade as colonels of the Welsh Guards, the Irish Guards and the Blues and Royals. 

Only William was seen at the run-through today, which went without a hitch – unlike last week when two people had to be rushed to a major trauma hospital and three others needed treatment from paramedics after a stand collapsed at the Trooping the Colour rehearsal on May 21. The ‘terrifying’ incident took place in front of a crowd of ‘shocked’ onlookers who had gathered to watch the event in Horse Guard Parade, London, at around 11am. 

Witnesses reported part of the stand collapsed, causing at least one person to fall through into the area below. Part of the stand was evacuated following the incident, and two people had been taken to hospital by London Ambulance and St John Ambulance for treatment. Three other people who were hurt in the incident were treated at the scene and discharged without needing hospital treatment.

Last week it was revealed the Queen would not take the royal salute at the Trooping the Colour for the first time in 70 years. It came two years after the ceremony had to be scaled back due to coronavirus and took place in Windsor.

According to the Sunday Times, Her Majesty still hopes to attend some of the ceremony, which kicks off four days of celebration to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The news comes as the 96-year-old monarch continues to entrust members of the Royal Family with increased responsibilities as she faces ‘episodic mobility problems’.

Earlier this month, Her Majesty missed the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years, with Prince Charles and Prince William given power to jointly act at the event on the Queen’s behalf. Pictured: Her Majesty at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2019. 

She has, though, made three recent public outings this month, including attending the Windsor Horse Show, star-studded Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Windsor and the opening of the Elizabeth Tube line, appearing in good spirits at all of them. Her Majesty has always been present at the Horse Guards Parade and has taken the royal salute at every Trooping the Colour ceremony during her reign. 

Traditionally during the ceremony following the Horse Guards Parade, the Queen is greeted by a royal salute before carrying out an inspection of the troops. According to the publication, one option being considered by Palace officials is Her Majesty traveling by carriage from Buckingham Palace to briefly inspect troops before making an appearance on the balcony. Pictured: The Queen’s salute in 1952. 

Alternatively, Her Majesty may only only appear on the balcony after the duration of the ceremony. Following Trooping the Colour, 18 family members will be on the balcony: The Queen; Charles and Camilla; William and Kate with George, Charlotte and Louis; Edward and Sophie and their children Louise and James; Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. Pictured: The balcony appearance in 2018. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Prince Andrew and Prince Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will not join the royal family there. Harry, Meghan and their children will attend the celebrations, but it is not known at which elements of the four-day Jubilee weekend they can make an appearance.

The balcony appearance, which is often seen as the center-piece of major royal occasions, including Trooping the Colour and weddings, usually sees the Queen’s extended family gather to watch a fly-past and is a rare chance for fans to see the entire extended family together. Pictured: The balcony appearance in 2019.

In paring the list down to just 16 people to avoid potential diplomatic pitfalls, the Queen has been forced to omit a number of well-liked family members including her much-loved grandchildren and their families.