The coronation disappointment that’s sparked change to King Charles’ official birthday schedule

There's one coronation disappointment that's apparently set to be more then made up for at Trooping the Color 2023

The coronation disappointment that will be made up for at King Charles' birthday celebration. Seen here he attends a garden party at Hillsborough Castle
(Image credit: Photo by Tim Rooke - Pool/Getty Images)

There’s a coronation disappointment that’s sparked a major change to King Charles’ official birthday schedule ahead of Trooping the Colour. 


King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation weekend had many stand-out moments, from Their Majesties’ Buckingham Palace appearance to Princess Charlotte’s hilarious reactions at the concert. However, there was one aspect of the big day itself which perhaps left fans a little disappointed. The RAF flypast is a highly-anticipated moment but the UK weather wasn’t ideal on May 6. Members of the immediate and extended Royal Family arrived in the rain that morning and the conditions didn’t improve much.

Due to the bad weather, the flypast display was scaled back and sadly lasted less than three minutes. Now this coronation disappointment has sparked a major change to King Charles’ official birthday schedule…

Helicopters appear over The Mall, signifying the beginning of the flypast

(Image credit: Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Although King Charles will turn 75 in November, his official birthday will be marked on June 17 with Trooping the Colour. This year King Charles is rising to the challenge and will ride on horseback 37 years after the late Queen Elizabeth last did the same at the parade. And according to The Telegraph, the flypast is set to be even more of a sight to behold as it’s reportedly been extended for Trooping the Colour.

It’s said that around 70 aircraft from the Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy will be participating in what’s set to be a six-minute display at 1pm. The Ministry of Defense is said to have shared that the aircraft would be taking off from fifteen different locations from across the UK and would come together in the South East of England ready to fly across the nation’s capital.

The flypast over Buckingham Palace during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

(Image credit: Photo by Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

This is a huge difference from the coronation flypast where 60 aircraft were set to take part and only the Red Arrows and helicopters from the RAF, Royal Navy and British Army did so on the day. So it seems the coronation disappointment sparked a major change to the schedule for King Charles’ birthday celebrations and this will likely be met with delight from fans.

One detail that will be remaining the same is the balcony appearance. It’s been confirmed by the Palace that the flypast will be watched by “Members of the Royal Family” as we’ve seen in previous years. It’s not known who exactly these “members of the Royal Family” will be, although it’s expected that King Charles, Queen Camilla and their fellow working royals like the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne will be glimpsed on the balcony.

The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on the coronation day

(Image credit: Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

There’s a statement King Charles could make about how he sees the future of the monarchy if he decides to just have working royals alongside him and not the wider family. Regardless of who joins him, though, the royals are set to see a wonderful flypast display, ending in the Red Arrows’ patriotic show of red, white and blue that will surely more than make up for any fans’ coronation disappointment.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!