A royal expert has speculated the real reason behind the presence of fewer members of the Royal Family gracing the Buckingham Palace balcony during the King’s official birthday at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, July 17.

Writing in the Mail Plus’s Palace Confidential Newsletter, Richard Eden writes how it was Queen Elizabeth’s initial decision for only working members of “the firm” to be present during the occasion.

However, Eden speculates further: “This was because the idea of Prince Andrew, after his string of controversies, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan, appearing on the balcony caused courtiers to worry that there could be jeers instead of cheers from the watching crowds.”

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Although describing Trooping the Colour as “impressive”, Eden states the “sparsely occupied” balcony of Buckingham Palace was a “disappointment”.

On the balcony, the King was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their three children, nine-year-old Prince George, eight-year-old Princess Charlotte, and five-year-old Prince Louis.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also present. The couple’s royal presence has grown significantly over the past few years so their appearance was expected on this occasion.

Due to their stance as senior royals, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence also made an appearance on the balcony.

The Duke of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were also asked to join them as they remain working royals.

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Prince Andrew did not appear at Trooping the Colour as he is no longer a senior working royal, he also did not attend the previous year and has been stripped of his royal titles.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were also absent from His Majesty’s official birthday. The couple, who now reside in the US, stepped back from the firm in 2020 and have only attended a scattered amount of royal events since.

During this year’s flypast, a formation of around 70 military aircraft put on a fascinating display to celebrate the King’s birthday. A “special birthday surprise” was received by the King as the flypast put on a “very special signature formation” of ‘CR’ in honour of His Majesty and to celebrate the breadth of the services’ capabilities.

Last year, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told reporters: “After careful consideration, The Queen has decided this year’s traditional Trooping the Colour balcony appearance on Thursday 2nd June will be limited to Her Majesty and those Members of the Royal Family who are currently undertaking official public duties on behalf of The Queen.”

Thinking ahead to next year’s Trooping the Colour, Richard Eden wrote of his hopes of the King inviting his “extended family to join” him on the balcony.

In the Palace Confidential newsletter, he also added “few people would mind” if His Majesty’s invitations to Harry and Meghan went “missing” in the post.

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