Princess Anne, 70, is a talented equestrian and was the first-ever British royal to compete in the Olympic Games when she rode for Team GB in 1976. Anne shares a passion for horses with her mother Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and usually takes part in the Trooping the Colour parade on horseback.
What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is a spectacular military parade held in central London to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday every year.
While the Queen’s actual birthday is on April 21, royal tradition means that the presiding sovereign’s birthday is celebrated publically on the second weekend of June.
Last year the celebration was pared-back due to the coronavirus pandemic and a small military display took place in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle instead.
However, since withdrawing from public life in November 2019, it is highly unlikely Prince Andrew will participate in this year’s Trooping the Colour in the same way.
In 2019, the Royal Family’s account tweeted a photo of Anne and the others accompanying the Queen’s carriage on horseback during Trooping the Colour.
The tweet read: Royal Colonels: “The Prince of Wales @welshguards, The Duke of Cambridge @irish_guards, The Duke of York @GrenadierGds and The Princess Royal of The Blues and Royals @HCav1660 accompany HM on horseback, along with The Duke of Kent, Royal Colonel of @scots_guards.”
A second tweet about the procession read: “The Queen travels down The Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Today is the 69th time The Queen has attended #TroopingtheColour – a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark her official birthday.”
