The Royal Family paid tribute to victims of the Air India tragedy during today's Trooping the Colour ceremony, with King Charles and Prince William prominently displaying black armbands on their ceremonial uniforms.
The monarch, serving as Colonel in Chief of the Household Division, led the gesture of remembrance whilst wearing the Coldstream Guards uniform for the traditional birthday parade.
Prince William, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, joined his father in the solemn tribute as he rode in the procession through central London.
The black armbands served as a visible mark of respect for those who lost their lives in this week's Air India incident, acknowledging both the bereaved families and affected communities across the nation.
The Royal Family paid tribute to victims of the Air India tragedy during today's Trooping the Colour ceremony, with King Charles and Prince William prominently displaying black armbands on their ceremonial uniforms.
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The King appeared in the full regalia of the Coldstream Guards, wearing their distinctive tunic and forage cap as the regiment's Colour was trooped.
His uniform bore Queen Elizabeth II's cypher, reflecting his former role as Personal Aide-de-Camp to the late monarch.
His Majesty's chest displayed an extensive array of medals spanning decades of service. These included the Queen's Service Order from New Zealand, coronation and jubilee medals dating from 1953 to 2022, and military honours from Canada and New Zealand.
The sovereign wore the insignia of Britain's most prestigious orders, including the Garter, Thistle and Bath decorations. Around his neck hung the distinguished Order of Merit.
Prince William, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, joined his father in the solemn tribute as he rode in the procession through central London.
PA
This ceremonial dress represented both continuity with royal tradition and the King's extensive military connections across the Commonwealth.
Prince William appeared in full ceremonial Guard Order of the Welsh Guards, complete with the Garter Sash bearing the Lesser George and a Welsh Guards sword.
His decorations included four full-size medals - the Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals alongside the Coronation Medal.
The Prince's chest displayed the stars of the Garter, Thistle and Bath orders, whilst he wore the Great Master of the Bath as a neck order. His aiguillettes signified his position as Personal Aide-de-Camp to the King.
William rode Darby, a horse gifted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2019 to commemorate both the 80th anniversary of their breeding programme and five decades since they presented Burmese to Queen Elizabeth II.
His Majesty specifically requested that all members of the Royal Family wearing uniform at today's ceremony don black armbands, extending this directive to mounted officers participating in the procession and liveried Mews staff.
PA
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His Majesty specifically requested that all members of the Royal Family wearing uniform at today's ceremony don black armbands, extending this directive to mounted officers participating in the procession and liveried Mews staff.
The King's instruction represented a formal acknowledgement of the Air India tragedy, ensuring the entire ceremonial contingent displayed unified mourning.
This coordinated gesture aimed to honour "all the lives lost, the families in mourning and the communities affected by the tragedy."
The widespread wearing of armbands throughout the parade created a striking visual tribute, with the traditional pageantry of Trooping the Colour incorporating this sombre element of remembrance for the recent aviation disaster's victims.
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