17 June 2023 , 09:45
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This year's Trooping The Colour is one for the history books – it not only marks the first of King Charles III's reign, but it is also the first time a reigning monarch has ridden at the annual parade since 1986, when Queen Elizabeth II last rode.
The King today (Saturday, June 17) took to the streets of London alongside his son, the Prince of Wales, and was also joined by his sister, Princess Anne.
The public have become accustomed to seeing the late Queen Elizabeth's only daughter on horseback – usually decked out in her military uniform along with medals and badges.
Princess Anne during the Trooping the Colour Ceremony, celebrating King Charles' first official birthday since becoming sovereign (PA)Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales also joined the procession in a carriage wearing dresses – despite both having the opportunity to wear a uniform, so why is this?
Why does Princess Anne wear a uniform?
Princess Anne, 72, is usually decked out in full military uniform at important royal events, but curiously, she's never been in the military.
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Instead, the reason she is allowed to wear a military uniform, is that she has several honours and titles.
The Princess Royal wears a Royal Navy ceremonial uniform, which represents her role in that division of the army.
She was made Rear Admiral in 1993, before being promoted to Vice Admiral in 2009, followed by Admiral in 2012.
In 2020 she was also made General in the British Army and an Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
Known for her love of horses, Anne also holds many other royal military titles across the commonwealth, including Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Nursing Corps and Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport.
She is also involved in over 300 charities, organisations and military regiments in the UK and oversees, dedicating large parts of her life to official engagements and visits.
Why don't Queen Camilla and Kate wear military uniforms?
Queen Camilla and Kate joined the event in a carriage (Getty Images)Kate was given the title of honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards by King Charles in 2022, but she didn't wear military uniform or ride horseback at Trooping the Colour in 2023.
It is believed she instead decided on joining Queen Camilla in travelling to the event via carriage, as she has done previously.
Even so, Kate did pay tribute to her regiment by wearing green, the colour of the Irish Guards, paired with a matching hat and stunning regimental brooch.
Queen Camilla also shunned a military uniform by wearing a day dress, even though she is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.
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Her outfit, a red silk dress, is inspired by the Grenadier guards, complete with a "rank insignia of a fill colonel on the epaulettes of the dress," explained BBC Presenter Huw Edwards.
They both follow the tradition they observed at the 2022 event, which was Queen Elizabeth II's last. They decided to attend the parade in a carriage, while William and Charles were on horseback.
What medals does Princess Anne wear?
King Charles and Princess Anne during an engagement at Buckingham Palace (PA)Princess Anne wears a number of medals, including:
- Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
- Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamon Jubilee Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
- Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
- Canadian Forces Decoration
- Order of St John Service Medal
- New Zealand 1990 Medal