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One of the biggest royal events of the year is almost here. On Saturday, June 13, thousands will gather in London for the King’s Birthday Parade, which marks the official birthday of the British sovereign. 

The event, known as the Trooping the Colour, actually takes place over three consecutive weekends. This year, the first rehearsal, known as The Major General’s Review will take place on May 30. The second rehearsal, The Colonel’s Review, will be held June 6. 

What you should never wear to Trooping the Colour

Members of the public are welcome watch any of the parades. There are spots where you can catch the action for free on the Mall or at the edge of St. James’s Park, and ticketed seating in the grandstand is also available. But those who are lucky enough to snag a ticket will need to make sure wear appropriate attire.

While the dress rehearsals are more casual, “The King’s Birthday Parade is a formal State Ceremonial Parade in the presence of His Majesty The King,” notes the Household Division, the group of British Army regiments that serve the King. “Those attending are required to dress accordingly.”

For men, that means donning morning dress or a lounge suit, while women should wear the equivalent. Denim, shorts, or sandals are a major no-no. Hats are optional but strongly encouraged. 

Dressing too casually is ‘disrespectful,’ royal fashion expert says 

What does the Trooping the Colour dress code mean in practice? It’s not as complicated as it might sound.

“The line is confidence versus showboating. You want your outfit to speak quietly rather than shout,” royal fashion expert Nick Ede told Cafe Casino.

“A gorgeous hat, a beautifully cut dress, a rich color, a subtle print, all of these say something wonderful about your sense of style without demanding to be the center of the room. Going too casual certainly reads as disrespectful of the occasion,” he said. 

In other words, Trooping the Colour might not be the best place to show off your trendiest, boundary-pushing outfit.  

“It isn’t Coachella,” Ede said. “There are still expectations of modesty, decorum and appropriateness.”

However, the dress code is more “a framework than a rigid rulebook,” he explained. “Within that framework, guests absolutely can and should have fun and most importantly feel good about themselves.” 

One place where guest can have some fun is with hats. 

“A beautifully made hat from a milliner like Philip Treacy or Jane Taylor can last decades and be worn repeatedly the ultimate sustainable fashion statement,” he said. “You can also go on apps like Etsy and get your very own had commissioned at a very reasonable price.” 

“Guests aren’t expected to wear white tie or evening gowns, so there’s room to express individual style within certain boundaries,” Ede noted. “You can play with colour, choose a statement hat, or wear a beautiful print that reflects your personality.”  

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