RAF gears up for Trooping the Colour with more than 30 aircraft in spectacular flypast

A spectacular display of RAF aircraft will grace the skies above Buckingham Palace on Saturday in celebration of King Charles's official birthday.

More than 30 aircraft from various RAF stations and squadrons will participate in the flypast starting with Chinook helicopters and culminating with the Red Arrows.

The flypast will conclude Trooping the Colour at Horse Guards Parade, featuring more than 1,400 officers and soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians from 10 bands and Corps of Drums.

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The Trooping the Colour ceremony is believed to have been performed first during the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685), and it was decided that this parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign, becoming an annual event after George III became King in 1760.

The King's Birthday Flypast also has a long and proud history, with the first one taking place in 1913 for George V.

It remains a key part of national celebrations, most recently featured in the coronation in 2023 and Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

"It is always a privilege to be part of His Majesty the King's birthday celebrations, where the flypast is an opportunity for us to honour His Majesty the King, our Commander-in-Chief, on this special occasion," Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin, Air Officer Commanding 1 Group, said.

"The flypast will consist of 34 aircraft, including rotary assets from Joint Aviation Command, training aircraft from No.22 Group, in addition to No.1 Group aircraft from the Air Mobility, ISTAR and Combat Air Forces, immediately prior to the iconic Red Arrows in their 60th year."

Leading the formation will be Chinook helicopters from No. 7 Squadron of RAF Odiham, followed by three Typhoons from 29 Squadron, RAF Coningsby.

The formation will be led by Squadron Leader Andy Millikin who is a previous commanding officer of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and an ex-Spitfire pilot.

The flypast, will be his last flight in a Typhoon as he reduces his Reservist commitment to the RAF.

Originally, a Lancaster, Spitfire, and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) were set to join the flypast, but will no longer be taking part following the tragic death of Squadron Leader Mark Long in a Spitfire crash on 25 May.

In his honour, the Typhoons will fly under the BBMF radio callsign 'Memorial Flight'.

The flypast will culminate with a display by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, who will paint the sky with their signature red, white, and blue smoke trails.