Trooping the Color is a longstanding tradition, dating back to 1748, when it was established as an annual military parade in London.
Its purpose is to officially commemorate the reigning British Monarch's birthday, making it a prestigious royal engagement that garners global attention. Typically, both working and non-working members of the royal family assemble on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to observe the flypast and greet the enthusiastic crowds below.
However, recent reports suggest that King Charles has made the decision to exclude Harry and Meghan from any official involvement in the 2024 Trooping the Color ceremony.
According to the Daily Mail, King Charles has informed senior advisors at the Ministry of Defense that non-working royals living abroad, such as Harry and Meghan, should not be invited to participate in the balcony appearance or be included in any organizational arrangements.
Since relinquishing their roles as senior working royals and relocating to America in 2020, Harry and Meghan have not taken part in Trooping the Color. Some experts interpret this decision as a demotion of their status within the monarchy under King Charles, who reportedly wishes to withhold royal privileges from them while they are not fulfilling official duties.
For Harry and Meghan, their exclusion from Trooping the Color represents a significant setback. They had hoped to utilize the event as an opportunity to reintroduce their family to the British public on an international stage, coinciding with King Charles's inaugural birthday as Sovereign. However, King Charles's stance underscores the restriction on participation in such events unless royals are actively representing the Monarch in the country.
Amidst speculation about the succession to the British throne, particularly regarding Harry's role, Palace insiders have revealed concerns about King Charles's health. His Majesty is reportedly battling an undisclosed form of cancer, prompting discussions about the succession plan.
Royal expert Jenny Bond suggests that involving Team Sussex in such matters is highly unlikely, given Harry's status as a non-working royal. Despite his previous position as a counselor of state, Harry is no longer privy to top-secret information or included in succession discussions, as Prince William asserts his desire to keep Harry out of the loop regarding succession matters.
Prince William's stance is firm: he does not want Harry involved in any aspect of the succession discussions or in planning for counselors of state. As the next in line to the throne, William's preferences carry significant weight in the succession planning process, which has been initiated earlier than expected due to concerns about King Charles's health.
Royal author Tom Quinn suggests that Harry's exclusion from succession planning is due to concerns about his trustworthiness and potential leaks to the media. Harry's past actions, such as his candid interviews and public statements, have caused tension within the royal family. Despite recent attempts at reconciliation, the rift between Harry and the rest of the family remains evident, making his involvement in sensitive matters like succession planning highly contentious.
