Unusual way Prince Louis will be kept in check at Trooping the Colour explained by ex-royal butler

Ex-royal butler lifts lid on how Prince Louis will be kept in check as fans await Trooping the Colour antics
GB NEWS
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 14/06/2025

- 11:06

Harrold said on GB News that such big events can prove tough for royal children

A former royal butler has suggested that Prince Louis will have been "bribed" to ensure good behaviour at today's Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Speaking on GB News, Grant Harrold explained the challenges of managing young royals at public events. "Everyone will be looking to see what little Louis will do on this occasion," he said.


Harrold acknowledged the difficulty of controlling children at such formal occasions. "It's really difficult. From such a young age how do you tell them, 'you can't do this?' I'm sure there's a bit of bribery to make sure they're on their best behaviour," he told the broadcaster.

The former royal household member emphasised the intense scrutiny faced by royal children. "It's because every little thing they do will end up on the front pages," Harrold noted.

Prince Louis and Grant Harrold

Prince Louis has become renowned for his antics at major royal events

GB NEWS / PA

Harrold drew comparisons with previous generations of royal children at ceremonial events. He recalled Prince William's own childhood moment, saying: "Even his father, Prince William, when he was five-years-old, his cousin Zara went to give him a little kiss on the balcony. He was horrified about this."

The former butler highlighted that such moments have long been part of royal tradition. "There's always been fun with the royal children," he observed.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

He also noted the early introduction of royals to ceremonial duties. "The King has been involved with Trooping the Colour since he was three-years-old," Harrold said.

According to the royal expert, this early exposure serves an important purpose. "They always get involved from a young age just to understand what it's all about and to understand what their role will become," he explained.

Princess KatePrince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George travelled alongside their mother in a carriage during the ceremonial parade.PA

Prince Louis has become known for his animated appearances at royal events since making his Buckingham Palace balcony debut at just 13 months old during Trooping the Colour in 2019.

The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales has developed a reputation for stealing the spotlight at formal occasions. His spontaneous reactions and expressions have consistently captured public attention whenever he appears at royal ceremonies.

For his first balcony appearance, the young prince wore a blue and white outfit similar to those worn by his brother George and father William at their own debuts. He made his entrance in his mother's arms during the 2019 ceremony.

Over the years, Prince Louis has provided numerous memorable moments from the palace balcony, establishing himself as a crowd favourite at royal gatherings.

Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George beam as they support Kate at Trooping the Colour

The Trooping the Colour ceremony is set to take place today in central London, marking the monarch's official birthday with a grand military parade.

King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, will be at the centre of the celebrations. The Prince and Princess of Wales are also expected to attend the event.

Senior royals will participate either on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages during the procession through London's streets. The ceremony will culminate with the traditional appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The Royal Family will watch a flypast by the Red Arrows from the famous balcony, continuing a long-standing tradition. The event remains one of the most significant occasions in the royal calendar.