There’s something quietly magical about London in June. The city’s parks are in full bloom, outdoor cafés spill onto charming streets, and the excitement surrounding Royal Week can be felt everywhere you go. At the center of it all is Trooping the Colour, one of Britain’s most iconic annual traditions and one of the very few occasions where nearly the entire Royal Family gathers in public.
Also known as The King’s Birthday Parade, this spectacular ceremony has celebrated the Sovereign’s official birthday for more than 260 years. What unfolds is an extraordinary display of British pageantry: more than 1,400 impeccably trained soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians of the Household Division process down The Mall in perfect formation. The event culminates with the Royal Air Force flypast over Buckingham Palace as members of the Royal Family gather on the famous balcony.
It’s one of those experiences that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.
One of London's Hardest Tickets to Secure
Although more than 150,000 people apply for tickets each year through the public ballot, only around 5,000 seats are available. The remaining invitations are reserved for military guests, dignitaries, and select hospitality partners.
For travelers hoping to experience Trooping the Colour without relying on the ballot, planning well in advance and working with the right travel advisor makes all the difference.
Through our longstanding partnership with NoteWorthy, one of the UK’s premier luxury event specialists, Ourisman Travel is able to arrange invitation-only access for our clients as part of a complete luxury travel experience.
This is not simply a ticket to a parade. It’s an expertly hosted day designed to immerse you in one of Britain’s most treasured traditions.
An Extraordinary Day from Beginning to End
Your morning begins around 9:00 a.m., when you’ll meet your dedicated NoteWorthy host. From there, you’ll be escorted through security and guided directly to your reserved seats alongside ballot winners and invited guests.
As the ceremony unfolds, you’ll witness centuries of British tradition come to life. The King’s inspection of the troops, the precision of the Household Division, the mounted cavalry, military bands, and appearances by members of the Royal Family create an atmosphere unlike anything else in London.
While guests are respectfully asked not to photograph members of the Royal Family during the ceremony, the experience itself is unforgettable.
Once the parade concludes, the day continues.
Your host will lead you on a leisurely walk through St. James’s Park, stopping for photographs before arriving at Wellington Barracks, where you’ll enjoy a champagne reception and exceptional views of the Royal Air Force flypast over Buckingham Palace—a perspective few visitors ever experience.
The afternoon concludes with a private lunch at the Guards Museum, surrounded by centuries of military history and British heritage. Hosted by Andrew Wallace, MBE, guests enjoy fascinating stories and insider perspectives that bring the traditions of the Foot Guards to life.
The experience typically concludes around 3:00–3:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time to continue exploring London or enjoy an elegant afternoon tea.
The Perfect Centerpiece to Royal Week
While Trooping the Colour is remarkable on its own, many travelers choose to build an entire vacation around Royal Week.
Each June, London hosts several of Britain’s most celebrated royal and social events, including:
- Trooping the Colour
- The Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle
- Royal Ascot
- Summer exhibitions and garden events
- World-class theatre, dining, shopping, and museum experiences
For many of our clients, Trooping the Colour becomes the highlight of a larger journey through England or Europe.
We Don't Just Arrange Access—We Design the Entire Journey
One of the biggest misconceptions about Trooping the Colour is that it’s simply a matter of finding tickets.
In reality, the event takes place during one of London’s busiest weeks of the year. Luxury hotels often sell out months in advance, restaurant reservations become increasingly difficult to secure, and the city’s most desirable accommodations are booked well before June arrives.
That’s why we don’t simply arrange access to the event itself.
We build your entire London experience around it.
Whether you’re planning a four-night stay in Mayfair, combining Royal Week with Wimbledon or Royal Ascot, extending your trip to Scotland or Paris, or creating a two-week European vacation, our advisors coordinate every detail so your trip feels seamless from beginning to end.
Hotel Plus: VIP Benefits at London's Finest Hotels
If you’ve already planned your itinerary and simply need a luxury hotel in London during Royal Week, our Hotel Plus service is the perfect option.
Through our preferred partnerships with many of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands—including Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Peninsula PenClub, Hyatt Privé, Hilton for Luxury, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Dorchester Diamond Club, Virtuoso, and more—our clients enjoy exclusive amenities at no additional cost.
Depending on the property, benefits may include:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Priority room upgrades (when available)
- Hotel or dining credits
- Early check-in and late checkout
- Welcome amenities
- VIP recognition from hotel management
- Personalized pre-arrival planning
Even more valuable than the perks is our firsthand expertise.
We’ve personally visited many of London’s premier hotels, allowing us to recommend the property that best matches your travel style. Whether you’re looking for classic British elegance, contemporary luxury, wellness-focused accommodations, or a family-friendly stay, we’ll guide you toward the right fit.
Tailored Luxury Planning: A Fully Customized Royal Week Experience
For travelers looking for a completely customized vacation, our Tailored Luxury planning service goes far beyond hotel reservations.
Trooping the Colour is just one piece of your journey.
We’ll work closely with you to design an itinerary based entirely on your travel style, interests, and pace.
Our Tailored Luxury service can include:
- Exclusive Trooping the Colour access through our trusted partners
- Luxury hotel recommendations and reservations
- International flights and airfare guidance
- Private airport transfers and chauffeurs
- Restaurant recommendations and reservations
- Private city guides
- Museum and palace visits
- Behind-the-scenes cultural experiences
- Day trips to Windsor Castle, Oxford, Bath, the Cotswolds, or Highclere Castle
- Extensions throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, France, or beyond
- Ongoing concierge support before and during your trip
We also collaborate with exceptional on-the-ground partners throughout the United Kingdom who provide private experiences and insider access that simply aren’t available through online booking sites.
Our role is to bring everything together into one seamless journey while advocating for you every step of the way. From selecting the perfect hotel to arranging meaningful experiences and providing support while you’re traveling, we’re here to make your trip as effortless as it is memorable.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Begin Planning for 2027
Trooping the Colour takes place every year on a Saturday during the second or third week of June. While the exact date changes annually, demand remains exceptionally strong.
Invitation-only hospitality experiences are limited. London’s finest hotels begin filling many months in advance, particularly those in Mayfair, Belgravia, St. James’s, and Knightsbridge. The most desirable room categories and suites are often the first to sell out.
If experiencing Trooping the Colour in 2027 is on your travel wish list, now is the ideal time to begin the conversation.
Starting early gives us the greatest opportunity to secure your preferred hotel, coordinate exclusive experiences, and thoughtfully design the rest of your itinerary around one of Britain’s most celebrated annual traditions.
Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re looking for VIP hotel benefits through our Hotel Plus service or a fully customized Royal Week itinerary through our Tailored Luxury planning service, we’d love to help.
Contact us at [email protected] or submit a Travel Request Form to begin planning your 2027 Trooping the Colour journey.
We’ll handle every detail, from your luxury accommodations and exclusive event access to restaurant reservations, private touring, and concierge support, so all you have to do is enjoy one of the most extraordinary weeks of the British summer.
