2025 Trooping the Colour: South African-born British Army Lieutenant-General to lead foot soldiers
Trooping of the Colour is the King's birthday parade. Here's what it's about...
Britain's King Charles III reacts during a visit to mark the 80th Anniversary of the humanitarian air operator Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence at the RAF Northolt, in Ruislip, west of London, on 3 April 2025. Picture: Eddie MULHOLLAND/POOL/AFP
CapeTalk's John Maytham speaks to Lieutenant General Storm Green.
Listen below:
The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.
Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians come together each June in a display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Sovereign's official birthday.
This year, Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards will Troop their Colour in the presence of King Charles III on Saturday, 14 June 2025.
Green will be among those leading the foot soldiers in the Trooping of the Colour event, which involves signalling to other foot soldiers while mounting a military horse.
Green was born in South Africa and joined the British Army when he was 16.
Apart from being nervous about riding a horse in a military fashion, Green is excited and honoured to be part of the event this year.
"The Trooping the Colour takes place every year, normally, on the second Saturday in June... It's essentially the United Kingdom's national celebration because the nations that make up the United Kingdom have their own national days... So, to celebrate the monarch and the King's birthday, although it's not his real birthday, on the second Saturday in June, we hold Trooping the Colour, which is also called the King's birthday parade..."
- Storm Green
"We do have a couple more rehearsals to go to add the final layers of polish and sheen to the event."
- Storm Green
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.