King Charles Requests Black Armbands at Birthday Parade to Honor Air India Crash Victims
London, June 14, 2025 — In a heartfelt gesture reflecting both compassion and solidarity, King Charles has made a last-minute amendment to the ceremonial plans for his official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, scheduled for Saturday in central London.
Following the tragic Air India crash on Thursday 12 June, which claimed numerous lives and left many grieving families in its wake, the 76-year-old monarch has asked members of the royal family participating in the event to wear black armbands as a sign of mourning and respect.
A Symbol of Global Solidarity Amid Celebration
Sources close to Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles personally issued the request late Friday evening, emphasizing the importance of showing empathy and unity in moments of international sorrow. The symbolic armbands will be worn discreetly by senior royals as they take part in the annual military spectacle, which marks the sovereign’s official birthday.
“This is a deeply poignant time for many,” said a palace spokesperson. “His Majesty believes it is important that the royal family visibly shares in the grief felt by so many around the world following the Air India tragedy.”
The move reflects King Charles’s long-standing commitment to fostering global unity and compassion. Throughout his reign, the King has shown sensitivity to international events and has often used royal occasions to draw attention to humanitarian causes.
The decision comes as London prepares for the grand pageantry of Trooping the Colour, which includes over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians parading through the heart of the capital. While the event is traditionally one of celebration, this year’s parade will carry a more somber undertone.
Leaders from around the world have expressed condolences following the Air India crash, and the King’s gesture has been widely praised as a meaningful act of solidarity.
As King Charles marks his official birthday, the black armbands will serve as a quiet but powerful reminder that even in moments of national celebration, the sorrow of others is not forgotten.
