King Charles is planning to attend his birthday celebration despite his cancer battle, a source has claimed.
Charles is hoping to attend this year’s Trooping the Colour, which celebrates the sovereign’s official birthday in June.
The King will only be able to attend his birthday parade if his health allows it and according to medical advice closer to the time.
Aides to the monarch are already preparing ways that Charles may be able to attend the event amidst his ongoing cancer treatment.
King Charles is 'determined to attend' this summer's Trooping the Colour
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The King may travel by carriage from Buckingham Palace and watch the festivities from a podium rather than on horseback.
The late Queen Elizabeth II stopped riding on horseback when she turned 60 from 1987 until her final parade in 2022.
A source told the Daily Mail: “There are a number of key events His Majesty would love to attend coming up in the diary and this is at the top of the list.”
The King’s Birthday Parade is being planned for Saturday, June 15 in London at the Horse Guards Parade.
King Charles and Queen Camilla wave from Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour in 2023
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Charles’s actual birthday is November 24, however, just like the late Queen, the King celebrates his birthday on two occasions.
The King is currently stepping back from public-facing duties as he is treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.
However, he has been continuing to work behind the scenes by holding private meetings and reviewing and signing documents.
Last year the King attended his first Trooping the Colour as monarch and rode on horseback for his ceremonial role as Colonel in Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Division of the British Army.
King Charles on horseback during Trooping the Colour 2023
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The sovereign’s birthday tradition dates back to King George II who combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration in 1748.
The parade features over 1,400 officers and soldiers with 200 horses and over 400 musicians from 10 bands.
Usually, the monarch rides from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade via The Mall to inspect troops and then rides back to the palace for a balcony appearance.
It is tradition for the sovereign to step out onto the balcony with the rest of the Royal Family to watch a flypast by the RAF.
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The Royal Family during Trooping the Colour 2023
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There has been no confirmation yet as to whether Princess Kate will be attending the event as she recovers from an abdominal operation.
The princess was forced to skip this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade for the first time since 2016, but she posted a fun message on social media to mark the occasion.
From the Prince and Princess of Wales’s X account they wrote: “Happy St Patrick’s Day! Here’s a sneak peak of the @irish_guards rehearsing for their annual parade. Sláinte to all those celebrating today!”
Princess Kate is not expected to return to public-facing duties until after Easter according to a statement by Kensington Palace.