Trooping the Colour 2021 is officially on—here's what to expect for the Queen's birthday parade

Trooping the Colour 2021 is expected to take place next Saturday, but it doesn't look like the Queen will be able to revel in many of its iconic traditions this year. 

• Trooping the Colour 2021 is likely to bring more disappointment for the Queen this year. 
• The event normally marks the Queen's official birthday in June with an extravagant parade, but coronavirus restrictions have caused it to be canceled for a second time. 
• In other royal news, Meghan Markle's new book could be dealt a blow for this significant reason.

Trooping the Colour 2021 is likely to bring fresh disappointment for the Royal Family after plans for its original celebrations were canceled.

The June event marks the Queen's official birthday with an extravagant parade at Buckingham Palace and is attended by thousands of excited guests, including service people, high-profile politicians, and of course, other members of the Royal Family. It was called off in 2020 for the first time since 1955 due to the coronavirus outbreak and replaced with a private military parade at Windsor Castle. 

Sadly, it looks like the event will again be impacted by the pandemic this year, with large gatherings banned in Britain until June 21. 

In a statement on Trooping the Colour 2021 released last Friday, the Royal Family confirmed that the celebrations will once again take place at Windsor Castle on June 12. 

What to expect at Trooping the Color 2021 

Trooping the Color 2021 will be a lowkey event attended by a select number of guests due to coronavirus restrictions. 

Her Majesty will ring in her 95th birthday on Saturday by enjoying a military parade at Windsor Castle's quadrangle, complete with bearskin-capped Foot Guards and horseriding soldiers. The ceremony will also feature music (think drums and pipes) from a military band, as well as the firing of a royal salute. 

Who will attend Trooping the Color 2021? 

While this toned-down affair is likely to be an emotional day for the Queen, whose husband Prince Philip died aged 99 in April, she won't be alone for the occasion. Unlike last year, which required her to attend the service alone, Her Majesty will be joined by her cousin, the Duke of Kent, for her second official birthday in lockdown.  

It remains unclear if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make it, but there's certainly nothing stopping them from driving over from Kensington Palace. UK coronavirus restrictions currently allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people, and now that both William and Kate have received their first vaccine, there's not much of an excuse to skip the important event. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on the other hand, have good reason to celebrate the Queen's 95th birthday in absentia. Meghan and Harry announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on Sunday and are currently spending quality time with the newborn and their son Archie at their $14 million Santa Barbara mansion. 

Where can I watch Trooping the Color 2021? 

Trooping the Color 2021 will be broadcast live on BBC One at 10.15 am on Saturday, June 12. For those who don't have a TV or just can't bring themselves to sacrifice their weekend lie-in, it will also be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer shortly after it airs. 

What's the plan for the Platinum Jubilee? 

Luckily, plans are already underway to make up for the lack of festivities over the past 15 months. The British public can look to the next summer's Platinum Jubilee, which will be marked by a four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen's 70 years on the throne. Her Majesty and other Royal Family members will go on a mini country-wide tour, traveling around the nation to meet members of the public between June 2 and June 5. A live concert called Platinum Party at the Palace will also take place at Buckingham Palace on the Saturday. The highly-anticipated event is set to feature a star-studded lineup, making it one of the must-see festivals of the season.