See The Troop in action
Click the images below to see the details of each event and how to watch.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is a Regular Army unit tasked as a Mounted Ceremonial Battery, and is based at Woolwich, London. This website is for The King’s Troop Foundation which is the official charity that supports The Troop, and our purpose is to promote the efficiency, morale and well-being of the serving Troop and their cherished horses. We fund opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable; that helps our people to remain engaged and motivated in their very busy careers, and it honours their dedication. The Foundation also preserves and promotes the rich living heritage that The Troop guards, including its outstanding sporting record.
The King’s Life Guard Horse Guards, Whitehall, London
The King's Life Guard is the mounted guard at Horse Guards, which is the official main entrance to both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace.
Sentries have been posted here since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. The Troop takes over the duties of The King’s Life Guard whilst the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment takes on other tasks during this period.
The Guard changes at 11:00am (10:00am on Sundays) and the Guard is inspected again at 4:00pm. It is best to arrive about 15 minutes before those times.
- Guard change at 11:00am (10:00am on Sundays) and inspection at 4:00pm
- How to watch: householddivision.org.uk/king-life-guard
- Free event, open to the public
Royal Gun Salute State Visit by the Emir of the State of Qatar
The Green Park, London
The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 3rd December to Wednesday 4th December 2024.
The Troop will form up on Horse Guards Parade as part of the Guard of Honour that will greet the Emir and pay compliments. After the inspection of the Guard of Honour, the Troop will move down The Mall then enter The Green Park via the Canada Gate next to Buckingham Palace.
As the coaches enter the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace at approximately 12:26 pm the Troop will fire a 41 Gun Salute in The Green Park. Following “Rounds Complete”, the Troop will leave through the Canada Gate and move around the Queen Victoria Monument to return to Wellington Barracks.
As ever on ceremonial occasions, there will be restrictions of movement around the Mall. If you want to see the processions arriving at Buckingham Palace followed by watching the Salute it is probably best to arrive on the North side of The Mall where it joins the roundabout around the Queen Victoria Monument; then watch the Salute having seen the procession. If you just want to see the Salute it is suggested that it is best to come in to The Green Park from the Piccadilly side of the park.
- Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade.
- Processions on The Mall.
- 41 Gun Salute in The Green Park fired precisely with the arrival time of the procession at Buckingham Palace.
- Free event, open to the public.
The King’s Life Guard Horse Guards, Whitehall, London
The King's Life Guard is the mounted guard at Horse Guards, which is the official main entrance to both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace.
Sentries have been posted here since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. The Troop takes over the duties of The King’s Life Guard whilst the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment takes on other tasks during this period.
The Guard changes at 11:00am (10:00am on Sundays) and the Guard is inspected again at 4:00pm. It is best to arrive about 15 minutes before those times.
- Guard change at 11:00am (10:00am on Sundays) and inspection at 4:00pm
- How to watch: householddivision.org.uk/king-life-guard
- Free event, open to the public
Royal Gun Salute Anniversary of the Coronation of King Charles III
The Green Park, London
Gun Salutes mark special occasions for the Royal Family.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41 Gun Salute to mark the birthday of His Majesty The King. The Troop will enter The Green Park from the Canada Gate at the Buckingham Place end of Constitution Hill and come into action on the East side of the Broadwalk to music from a Household Division Band.
Watch from the Broadwalk in The Green Park which runs between the Canada Gates and the Devonshire Gates on Piccadilly. After ‘rounds complete’ the Troop will leave the gun position through the Canada Gate.
On ceremonial occasions there are often restrictions of movement around the Mall. It is generally best to come in to The Green Park from the Piccadilly side of the park.
The salute will be fired at 12:00 Midday. It’s best to be there at least 20 minutes before.
- Watch from the Broadwalk of The Green Park.
- 41 Gun Salute, fired at Midday
- Free event, open to the public
The Musical Drive Royal Windsor Horse Show
Windsor
Tickets for Royal Windsor Horse Show are on sale at: www.rwhs.co.uk
The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery is one of the most spectacular displays of horsemanship in the world.
The Gun Teams of The Troop, each led by six horses with three drivers, perform exciting manoeuvres at the gallop. The Drive is set to stirring traditional music and ends with the guns firing before the Troop gallops out.
The origin of the RHA was to provide gun fire for rapidly moving Cavalry – fast in and fast out. That’s reflected in modern RHA regiments and demonstrated in the traditional way by the galloping Drive which shows manoeuvres that Gun Teams might have used in battle.
It will be performed as part of the main Castle Arena show each day.
- On Saturday, members of the Troop will compete our Military Working Horses in the prestigious Services Show Jumping competition
- Tickets: Royal Windsor Horse Show – rwhs.co.uk
Major General’s Review of The King's Birthday Parade
Horse Guards Parade and Hyde Park, London
Review of the King’s Birthday Parade by Major General J M H Bowder OBE, General Officer Commanding London District. Walk and trot past on Horse Guards Parade then a rehearsal of the Royal Gun Salute (non-firing) in Hyde Park.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will conduct a Full Dress rehearsal for The King’s Birthday Parade. The Troop Royal will form up for the review of The King’s Birthday Parade then, following the Trooping of the Colour by the Guards, The Troop will walk and trot past the Major General on Horse Guards Parade followed by the Household Cavalry.
The Troop will also rehearse a Royal Gun Salute.
- Trooping The Colour on Horse Guards Parade, reviewed by the General Officer Commanding London District. The Troop will walk and trot past the General.
- Royal Gun Salute rehearsal in The Green Park.
- Tickets for the seating on Horseguards Parade will be available from the Household Division: kbp.army.mod.uk
- The gun salute in Hyde Park and the processions on The Mall are open to the public, all free of charge.
Colonel’s Review of The King's Birthday Parade
Horse Guards Parade and Hyde Park, London
Review of the King’s Birthday Parade by a Royal Colonel of the Household Division. Walk and trot past on Horse Guards Parade, then a rehearsal of the Royal Gun Salute (non-firing) in The Green Park.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will conduct a Full Dress rehearsal for The King’s Birthday Parade. The Troop will form up on Horse Guards Parade for the review of The King’s Birthday Parade by a Royal Colonel of the Household Division. Then, following the Trooping of the Colour by the Guards, The Troop will walk and trot past the Colonel on Horse Guards Parade followed by the Household Cavalry.
The Troop will then rehearse a Royal Gun Salute in Hyde Park.
- Trooping The Colour on Horse Guards Parade, reviewed by a Royal Colonel of the Household Division. The Troop will walk and trot past the Royal Colonel.
- Royal Gun Salute rehearsal in The Green Park at 12:52, having escorted Royal carriages down the Mall.
- Tickets for the seating on Horseguards Parade are available from the Household Division: kbp.army.mod.uk
- The gun salute in The Green Park and the processions on The Mall are open to the public, all free of charge.
The King’s Birthday Parade Horse Guards Parade and The Green Park, London
Walk and trot past on Horse Guards Parade, then a Royal Gun Salute in The Green Park.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will form up for The King’s Birthday Parade then, following the Trooping of the Colour by the Guards, The Troop will walk and trot past The King on Horse Guards Parade followed by the Household Cavalry.
The Troop will then fire a Royal Gun Salute having escorted Royal carriages down The Mall.
- Trooping The Colour on Horse Guards Parade, reviewed by His Majesty The King. The Troop will walk and trot past The King.
- Royal Gun Salute in The Green Park at 12:52, having escorted Royal carriages down the Mall.
- Tickets for the seating on Horseguards Parade are available from the Household Division: kbp.army.mod.uk
- The gun salute in The Green Park and the processions on The Mall are open to the public, all free of charge.
A Military Musical Spectacular 2025 Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade, London
A spectacular evening of pageantry and military musical excellence. This annual event is performed on Horse Guard Parade, in the centre of London.
Featuring the Band of The Household Cavalry, The Massed Bands of the Guards Division, The Massed Pipes and Drums; and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
- Music – Horses – Fireworks – an event not to be missed
- 7:30 pm on Horse Guards Parade, London
- Tickets are available at: tickets.householddivision.org.uk/beating-retreat/index.htm
Royal Gun Salute Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
The Green Park, London
Gun Salutes mark special occasions for the Royal Family.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41 Gun Salute to mark the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. The Troop will enter The Green Park from the Canada Gate at the Buckingham Place end of Constitution Hill and come into action on the East side of the Broadwalk to music from a Household Division Band.
Watch from the Broadwalk in The Green Park which runs between the Canada Gates and the Devonshire Gates on Piccadilly. After ‘rounds complete’ the Troop will leave the gun position through the Canada Gate.
On ceremonial occasions there are often restrictions of movement around the Mall. It is generally best to come in to The Green Park from the Piccadilly side of the park.
The salute will be fired at 12:00 Midday. It’s best to be there at least 20 minutes before.
- Watch from the Broadwalk of The Green Park.
- 41 Gun Salute, fired at Midday
- Free event, open to the public
Royal Gun Salute Anniversary of the Accession of King Charles III
Hyde Park, London
Gun Salutes mark special occasions for the Royal Family.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41 Gun Salute to mark the anniversary of the Accession of His Majesty The King.
In Hyde Park, the Troop will gallop into action to music from a Household Division Band. Upon ‘rounds complete’ the Troop will leave the gun position at the gallop. Watch from the Broad Walk on the east side of Hyde Park.
The salute will be fired at 12:00 Midday; it’s best to be there at least 20 minutes before.
- 41 Gun Salute, fired at Midday
- Watch from the Broad Walk on the east side of Hyde Park.
- The Troop will gallop into and out of action in true RHA style.
- Free event, open to the public.
The Lord Mayor’s Show The City of London
The traditional public parade that marks the inauguration of The Lord Mayor of London
A new Lord Mayor, appointed every year, stages the public parade for their inauguration ceremony. A Section (two Gun Teams), with Section Commander and Veterinary Officer, will be in the parade. The Lord Mayor’s Show website explains how best to watch.
- How to watch: lordmayorsshow.london
- Starts at 11.00 a.m.
- Free event, open to the public
Remembrance Sunday Commemorating those who died in world wars and other conflicts
Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park Corner
A Gun Section of the Troop will fire Minute Guns at 11.00 a.m. on Horse Guards Parade to mark the National Silence. Afterwards, that Section will rank past the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
Meanwhile, the Trumpeters of The Troop will sound the Last Post and Reveille at The Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner for the Royal Artillery Service of Remembrance.
Having fired the Minute Guns, the Gun Section will proceed to Hyde Park Corner and rank past The Royal Artillery Memorial.
Our soldiers also usually provide dismounted contingent to other key locations; details will be published in due course.
- The Troop will fire Minute Guns for the National Silence on Horseguards Parade
- The Trumpeters of The Troop will sound The Last Post and Reveille for the Royal Artillery Service of Remembrance at Hyde Park Corner
- The Guns will then rank past the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner
- Free event, open to the public
Royal Gun Salute The King's Birthday
The Green Park, London
Gun Salutes mark special occasions for the Royal Family.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will fire a 41 Gun Salute to mark the birthday of His Majesty The King. The Troop will enter The Green Park from the Canada Gate at the Buckingham Place end of Constitution Hill and come into action on the East side of the Broadwalk to music from a Household Division Band.
Watch from the Broadwalk in The Green Park which runs between the Canada Gates and the Devonshire Gates on Piccadilly. After ‘rounds complete’ the Troop will leave the gun position through the Canada Gate.
On ceremonial occasions there are often restrictions of movement around the Mall. It is generally best to come in to The Green Park from the Piccadilly side of the park.
The salute will be fired at 12:00 Midday. It’s best to be there at least 20 minutes before.
- Watch from the Broadwalk of The Green Park.
- 41 Gun Salute, fired at Midday
- Free event, open to the public