WHY CHARLES IS DETERMINED TO CELEBRATE

King Charles is expected to travel by carriage during his Trooping the Colour official birthday celebrations, rather than on horseback as he did last year.

- Emily Andrews

For several weeks, Buckingham Palace and the Ministry of Defence have been exploring ways in which he can take part, while avoiding any undue risk to his health as he continues his cancer treatment.

The favoured options included watching the pomp and pageantry from a podium, rather than on horseback, and being driven from Buckingham Palace in a carriage.

Palace sources indicated that it was unlikely he would opt to ride in the procession to Horse Guards Parade.

The King is also expected to join other senior members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for the traditional RAF flypast.

I feel a bit sorry for Charles, 75, as last year he seemed to be having a fantastic time as he rode in the parade on horseback.

Then, the King took the salute as sovereign for the first time riding Noble, a seven-year-old black mare presented as a gift by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or the Mounties, following a tradition that dates back to 1904.