Lady Louise Windsor Skips Trooping the Colour for Second Year, June 14

Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was absent from Trooping the Colour on June 13, 2026, marking her second consecutive absence from the annual royal birthday parade. King Charles continues the practice started by Queen Elizabeth of restricting balcony appearances to senior working royals only. Her brother James, Earl of Wessex, also did not attend for the fourth year running.

Who Appeared on the Palace Balcony

King Charles and Queen Camilla stood centre stage on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Prince William, Catherine Princess of Wales, and their three children George, Charlotte, and Louis also appeared. Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke of Kent, age 90, joined them. The Duke of Kent has not missed Trooping the Colour since 1996 and last rode on horseback in 2012 at age 76.

Why Lady Louise and Others Stayed Away

Queen Elizabeth restricted balcony appearances to working royals starting with her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. King Charles has maintained this rule. Lady Louise last appeared on the balcony in 2024. Non-working royals including Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were absent. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not attend, nor did Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his titles last year.

Lady Louise’s Life Beyond the Ceremony

Lady Louise is studying at the University of St. Andrews and recently worked a paid part-time job at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. On her LinkedIn profile, she stated she is interested in pursuing a career in the military, diplomacy, or law. If she enlists, she could become the first female royal to serve in the military since her late grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

The Changing Royal Tradition

During most of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, extended family members appeared on the balcony for the RAF flypast. The shift to working royals only began in 2022 and has continued under King Charles. Notable absences included Zara and Mike Tindall, as well as Princess Alexandra, age 89, who last appeared on the balcony following King Charles’s coronation in 2023.

Final Thoughts

King Charles maintains Queen Elizabeth’s rule limiting Trooping the Colour balcony appearances to senior working royals. Lady Louise’s absence reflects the monarchy’s narrower public footprint, though her career interests in military or diplomacy could reshape her royal role in future years.

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