King Charles celebrates two birthdays every year why?

King Charles will celebrate his official birthday with the grand annual parade, Trooping the Colour, on Saturday, 14 June.

However, with the monarch’s actual birthday falling on 14 November, many may be curious why King Charles marks his birthday twice each year.

The tradition of celebrating two birthdays dates back to the 18th century and explains why King Charles marks both an official and an actual birthday.

While his real birthday falls on 14 November, his official birthday celebrations take place in the summer during the Trooping the Colour parade. 

This practice isn’t unique to King Charles — it stems from a long-standing royal custom of holding official birthday events on a day more likely to enjoy fine weather.

For example, King Edward VII, born on 9 November, celebrated his official birthday in May or June throughout his reign to ensure better conditions for the parade. 

Similarly, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday was 21 April, but her official celebrations were always held on a Saturday in June.

This tradition allows the monarchy to combine pageantry and practicality, making the birthday festivities a highlight of the British summer calendar.

What is Trooping the Colour?

Trooping the Colour is a grand military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army to mark the official birthday of the British sovereign.