King Charles III will take part in next month’s Trooping the Colour despite his cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
But the monarch is expected to inspect soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback.
The Princess of Wales’s role at the event will be taken by an military official, as she continues chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer.
The ceremony, to be held on 15 June, traditionally sees the royal family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Last year, the King inspected troops from horseback during the event, which is filled with pomp and military pageantry and held to mark the Sovereign’s official birthday.
This time, he will conduct the review seated in an Ascot landau carriage with Queen Camilla.
Lt Gen James Bucknall will carry out the role of Inspecting Officer on behalf of Catherine at the traditional Colonel’s Review.
He is the former Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and has attended every King’s Birthday Parade since 2009, when he was appointed Colonel of the Coldstream Guards.
The King has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
He has been carrying out a busy programme of engagements since his return to duties was confirmed just over four weeks ago.
But last week’s surprise announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call a surprise summer General Election has meant the monarchy has postponed any engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign”.
It is unclear whether the Princess will attend Trooping the Colour – one of the highlights of the royal calendar – in some capacity.
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