What Guests Must Avoid Wearing at King Charles’ Birthday Celebration
The royal family and many people around the U.K. are gearing up to celebrate King Charles‘ birthday.
You may be aware that the monarch was actually born in November but each year in June, what’s known as the Trooping the Colour, marks the birthday celebration of the British Sovereign with a parade and military ceremony.
The royals aren’t the only ones celebrating the big day, so what should others who attend the festivities wear, and what should they definitely leave at home? A fashion expert is answering that question.
How guests should dress
Nick Ede is a UK-based brand and culture expert and public relations specialist with over 20 years of experience in fashion and entertainment. He is a regular commentator on television and in the press. Alongside his media work, Ede runs a PR agency and is a dedicated charity campaigner, having raised significant funds and awareness for stroke charities through his initiative Style For Stroke. He was also once close friends with Meghan Markle.
Speaking on behalf of Cafe Casino, Ede told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “The biggest mistake anyone can make at Trooping the Colour is trying to become the story; this isn’t Aintree, it’s not about standing out. This is one of the most important ceremonial events in the royal calendar, so guests should avoid anything overly revealing, attention-grabbing, or trend-driven. It’s about elegance, sophistication, and respect for the occasion rather than making a fashion statement.”
He added that colors, patterns, and trends that guests should avoid for the event are “anything too loud or distracting. Neon shades, oversized logos, extreme cut-outs, and very busy prints can look out of place.
Pastels, florals, and classic British occasion wear tend to work beautifully and photograph well alongside the pageantry … hemlines are generally modest, and tailoring should be impeccable.”
How the royals will dress
According to Ede, “King Charles will almost certainly wear military dress for the occasion. He understands the symbolism of the role and always favours heritage tailoring and traditional ceremonial uniforms. One of my favorite looks was his first Trooping the Colour as monarch, where he balanced military authority with warmth and accessibility.
“Queen Camilla tends to favor elegant coat dresses in soft pastel shades such as powder blue, ivory, and pale green. Her style is consistent and age-appropriate. I particularly loved her pale blue ensemble from previous Trooping celebrations, which perfectly complemented the formal setting and her skin tone too.”
And when it comes to the future king and queen, Ede said, “William will almost certainly appear in military uniform, reflecting his senior role within the royal family. His military appearances always reinforce his position as the future [monarch].
“The Princess of Wales is always the fashion superstar of the day. I expect impeccable tailoring, possibly in a striking monochromatic color that stands out in photographs while remaining elegant with a nod replicated in the dress her daughter wears too. Her Alexander McQueen Trooping looks have been consistently
exceptional, particularly her mint-green coat dress and her memorable white-and-green ensemble.”
