Prince William’s decision to ride alongside his father King Charles during the Trooping the Colour in London has sent a powerful subliminal message about the future of the monarchy.

He was directly behind the King, with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Royal beside him.

The Prince of Wales, father to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, is taking an increasingly high-profile role in preparation for the day he becomes monarch.

And the symbolism of the heir to the throne participating in the first ceremony since the death of Queen Elizabeth II – his grandmother – will not have been lost on royal watchers the world over, offering as it does a clear indication that the 40-year-old is ready to step into his father’s shoes.

Cheered on by a crowd of thousands lining the Mall, William will also undoubtedly have been keen to offer visible and steadfast support to Charles himself, leading the ceremony for the first time, after a difficult start to the year which has seen Prince Harry publish his controversial memoir, Spare.

The book contained multiple explosive claims including details of an alleged physical confrontation between the siblings.

Harry, 38, who lives with wife Meghan Markle and children Archie and Lilibet, is not expected to be present as he is no longer a senior working royal. Their uncle Prince Andrew, who stepped down from royal life in 2019, is also not set to join them.

William, 40, made sure he was prepared by taking part in two rehearsals for the prestigious event, including on June 10, taking the salute at the Colonel’s Review at Horse Guards Parade in London in his capacity as Colonel of the Welsh Guards.

The regiment is one of seven making up the Household Division of the British Army, which unite for Trooping the Colour each year, consisting of the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards, plus two Household Cavalry regiments.

Last year William took the salute as the Colonel of the Irish Guards – during which he wore a symbol of a shamrock symbol on his lapel.

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Eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted that this year, reflecting his new role, the Prince sported a leek.

Just one “colour,” or flag, of the five regiments of Foot Guards is permitted to troop at a time before the sovereign during the parade to mark the King’s official birthday parade each year, and this year it is the Welsh Guards’ turn.

An army insider told People magazine: “The purpose of the Colonel’s review is to decide that they are ready for the monarch.”

After the rehearsal, which took place in soaring temperatures during which one guardsman fainted, William tweeted: “A big thank you to every soldier who took part in the Colonel’s Review this morning in the heat.

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“Difficult conditions but you all did a really good job. Thank you. W,”

It’s all a far cry from William’s Trooping the Colour debut in 1984, when he wore a blue outfit matching that of the Queen Mother, his great-grandmother, as he was held on the royal balcony,

Just days before his second birthday, the toddler was pictured in the arms of mother Princess Diana, who at the time was six months pregnant with Harry.

The then-Prince Charles also held his son as they watched the military display, and William also played with cousins Zara and Peter Phillips, the children of Princess Anne.

Today’s spectacular event will involve 1,500 soldiers, 300 horses as well as 400 musicians for a spectacular display of pageantry.

King Charles, 74, is taking part in his first Trooping the Colour as sovereign, barely six weeks since his coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, and he takes the salute as Colonel in Chief.

Charles’ appearance on horseback is also the first time the monarch has done so since the Queen in 1986.

Last year, the occasion coincided with the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

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