On the Buckingham Palace balcony for the King’s Birthday parade on Saturday, the monarch made a major misstep, before his son corrected him
15:57, 16 Jun 2026
The Royal Family took their place on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Saturday for the annual Trooping the Colour celebrations, as they watched the impressive RAF flypast while thousands of royal fans descended on the Mall.
As is tradition, the senior members of the Firm were present on Saturday to mark the King’s official birthday celebrations, with the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal joining the King and Queen for the procession before taking their place on the Palace balcony.
The RAF flypast signalled the end of Trooping the Colour for another year, and as the aerial show drew to a close, King Charles turned to make his way back inside the Palace.
However, Charles was quickly corrected by his son Prince William , who caught his attention and said a few words to his father to let him know the festivities were not over yet. The King then turned back to face the crowds on the Mall as the national anthem started to play.
The King and Queen then gave one last round of waves before retreating into the Centre Room of the Palace, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and more Royal Family members followed behind. While Charles quickly corrected himself as the national anthem began to play, body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that it was young Princess Charlotte who was the picture of royal poise during the blunder.
Judi said: "William made the final alterations but it was also William having to check his father as Charles appeared to be making his final wave and turn to walk inside, with his son very quickly reminding him that he needed to wait for 'his song', i.e. the National Anthem first.
"Charlotte teaches her grandad a rather sweet lesson in royal protocol. As the balcony appearance drew to a close Charles appeared keen to go inside, throwing one final fond wave at the cheering crowds before turning in the direction of the exit.”
Judi continued: "It was William who appeared to have to remind him that he needed to wait for the singing of the National Anthem but it was Charlotte acting as the perfect royal role model, standing quietly and firmly to attention at the front of the balcony, the only one un-moving and standing with her arms at her sides all the way through the anthem and beyond."
The body language expert added that the 11-year-old princess showed off her confidence during the balcony appearance, as she seemed 'in charge' of the Wales family and their presentation to the sea of royal fans who had descended on the Mall.
Judi said: "It was Charlotte in charge of the choreography here, motioning Louis to his 'spot' with a two-handed gesture and checking George, ushered with one very tender hand on the back by his mother, got to his place in the line-up, too."
The expert added of her older brother Prince George : "Perhaps because he will soon be off to 'big' school, George appeared to want to stick close to his mother here. After William waved Charlotte and Louis into the front row, George stood beside his mother, even side-stepping across to get closer. Not only did this place him more in the 'grown ups' row, he was able to keep Kate company as they chatted and laughed together fondly."
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United Kingdom