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The King has two birthdays: his real one on 14 November (King Charles III was born in 1948) and his Official Birthday on a Saturday in June, marked by Trooping the Colour in London. Both are designated days on which the Union Flag is flown on UK Government buildings, so the King's birthday is a good moment to put a flag up at home, at work or along your street.
This guide explains why there are two dates, what happens on each, which flags are appropriate, and why the Royal Standard is best kept for bunting rather than your flagpole.
The King's birthday: two dates explained
The tradition of a separate official birthday goes back to the 18th century and was settled in the reign of Edward VII, whose November birthday was poorly suited to an outdoor parade. Holding the public celebration in early summer gives the best chance of good weather for the troops, horses and crowds. The sovereign's actual birthday is still marked, but more quietly.
| Occasion | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| The King's Official Birthday | A Saturday in June, announced each year (13 June in 2026) | Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade, an RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace, and the King's Birthday Honours list |
| The King's actual birthday | 14 November, every year | Gun salutes in London and flags flown on government buildings; usually no public parade |
Both dates appear in our UK flag flying days calendar, which follows the current gov.uk list. Check the official announcement for the June date each year, as it is not fixed to a particular Saturday.
Trooping the Colour in brief
Trooping the Colour began as a practical drill: regimental colours (flags) were carried, or "trooped", down the ranks so that soldiers would recognise their rallying point in battle. Today one of the Foot Guards regiments troops its colour each year in front of the King, with more than a thousand soldiers, horses and musicians taking part. The parade moves from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and back, and the day ends with the Royal Family on the palace balcony for the flypast.
Smaller events are held in garrison towns and at some military bases, and many people simply watch the coverage on television with friends. Either way, it is a natural reason for a garden party or a street gathering in early summer.
Which flags to fly for the King's birthday
- Union Flag: the right choice for a flagpole on either birthday. Make sure it is the right way up, with the broad white diagonal uppermost nearest the pole; our Union Jack flag etiquette guide covers this and the position of honour.
- Home nation flags: perfectly appropriate alongside the Union Flag, particularly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Bunting and hand flags: for a June party, Union Jack bunting and children's hand flags do most of the work. For a winter birthday on 14 November, a single good flag on a pole is usually enough.
Royal Standard etiquette
The Royal Standard represents the sovereign personally, not the nation. Officially it is flown where the King is present, for example over a royal residence when he is in residence or on his car, and it is never flown at half-mast because there is always a sovereign. For that reason, flying a full-size Royal Standard from your own building is generally regarded as incorrect: it suggests the King is there.
Decorative use is a different matter. Royal Standard bunting, hand flags and table flags have long been part of royal street parties and jubilee celebrations, and few people would see anything wrong with a string of Royal Standard bunting mixed with Union Jacks. If you want to keep things strictly correct, stick to the Union Flag on any pole and use the Royal Standard only as party decoration.
Planning a June celebration
If you are organising a street party for Trooping the Colour weekend, apply for any road closure well in advance, as many councils ask for around six weeks' notice. Our street party planning guide covers permissions, timings and how much bunting to buy. Allow roughly the width of each house frontage in bunting, plus extra for droop, and a pack of hand flags for the children.
Looking ahead: the King's 80th birthday
King Charles III will be 80 on 14 November 2028. Milestone royal birthdays have often been celebrated more widely, but no national plans had been announced at the time of writing. We will update this guide when details are confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
When is the King's real birthday?
14 November. King Charles III was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948.
Why does the King have an official birthday in June?
So the public celebration, Trooping the Colour, can take place in better weather. The date is a Saturday in June announced each year.
Can I fly the Royal Standard on the King's birthday?
Strictly, the Royal Standard is flown only where the King is present, so the Union Flag is the correct flag for your pole. Royal Standard bunting and hand flags are widely used as decoration at parties.
Is the King's birthday a bank holiday?
No. Neither the actual birthday nor the Official Birthday is a public holiday in the UK.
Do I need permission to fly the Union Flag for the King's birthday?
No permission is needed to fly the Union Flag from an existing pole. If you are putting up a new pole, read our guide to flagpole planning permission first.
Getting ready for the next royal birthday? Browse our royal events collection, choose a hard-wearing Union Jack DuraFlag for your pole, or pick from the full Union Jack range for flags, bunting and hand flags.
