On Saturday, senior members of the monarchy stepped out for the King’s Birthday Parade, a grand ceremony that is one of Britain’s great symbols of pride.
The Royal Family’s arsenal of working royals was out in full force for Trooping the Colour with King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and the Duchess of Edinburgh all featuring in the royal procession.
The future of the monarchy was also visible, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis taking up prominent positions during the parade.
As the ceremony drew to a conclusion, the royals watched the famous flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
On Saturday, senior members of the monarchy stepped out for the King’s Birthday Parade, a grand ceremony that is one of Britain’s great symbols of pride.
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The slimmed-down version of the monarchy that King Charles wanted was clear to see on the balcony of the royal residence.
There was no place for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
When Charles was originally making plans for a slimmed-down monarchy during his long spell as heir to the throne, he would certainly have included Prince Harry in that line-up.
However, when Harry, alongside his wife Meghan Markle, decided to step back from his role within the Royal Family in January 2020, Charles would have been forced to contemplate a structure that did not involve his youngest son.
When Charles was originally making plans for a slimmed-down monarchy during his long spell as heir to the throne, he would certainly have included Prince Harry in that line-up.
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Six and a half years on from the Sussexes walking away from the monarchy, there is no noticeable void left behind which needs to be filled.
The Royal Family has adapted. The slimmed-down monarchy is performing brilliantly, just as King Charles would have hoped.
For a brief time in 2024, when King Charles and the Princess of Wales stepped away from public-facing duties due to health conditions, the Royal Family were slightly stretched but rallied together to cover all bases.
Catherine has recovered following cancer treatment and announced in January 2025 that she had entered remission.
King Charles continues to receive treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer but has been undertaking royal engagements consistently for two years since his three-month break from public duties.
Catherine has recovered following cancer treatment and announced in January 2025 that she had entered remission.
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Both the monarch and the Princess of Wales looked to be thriving during Saturday’s celebrations.
Prince Harry, on the other hand, was pictured spending his Saturday watching the New York Knicks win the NBA Championship in Texas.
The Duke of Sussex looked delighted by the result and very comfortable in his role as a spectator of the historic victory, which ended the Knicks’s 53-year wait for the title.
Spectating from the sidelines is now the only role left for Harry during Trooping the Colour, one of the most important events in the royal calendar.
The Duke of Sussex looked delighted by the result and very comfortable in his role as a spectator of the historic victory.
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The prince may well be happy with the choice he made in 2020 and the life he has in California, but there must also be a part of him that feels upset by missing Trooping the Colour, a ceremony that was part of his life for three decades.
The Duke of Sussex has never been part of a King’s Birthday Parade, with all his appearances at Trooping the Colour coming during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Prince Harry may never get the opportunity to celebrate his father’s official birthday publicly alongside the Royal Family, as no progress has been made towards his reconciliation with senior members of the monarchy.
So, Harry will have to continue watching from afar as the Royal Family moves on, without him.
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