Prince George Suppresses Sneeze During Trooping the Colour National Anthem

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the British royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force flypast that marks the end of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The event, which is held each June to celebrate the sovereign’s official birthday, is the largest ceremonial event in the United Kingdom’s calendar.

During the playing of the national anthem, 12‑year‑old Prince George of Wales, the eldest son of Prince William, 43, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, tried to hold back a sneeze. A video posted to X by the Telegraph shows the prince covering his mouth and nose with his hands as the anthem reached its final notes. When the music finished, he let out a small sneeze, which he caught in his hand. The moment was captured by cameras on the balcony and later shared by the royal family’s social media accounts.

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, appeared to laugh at the incident. In a brief exchange on the balcony, she placed a hand on Prince George’s back, a gesture that was described as “sweet” by observers. The family, which also included Prince William, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, King Charles III, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, waved to the crowd before leaving the balcony.

Earlier in the day, Kate Middleton herself sneezed at Horse Guards Parade, the site of the parade’s main march‑past. The Princess of Wales was wearing a powder‑blue Catherine Walker coat dress that reminded many of the outfit worn by Princess Diana in 1987.

Prince Louis, the youngest of the three children, was also in the spotlight. He was photographed making animated facial expressions while standing beside his family. In previous years, he has been noted for his playful antics, such as waving at the crowd after the family had lowered their hands and performing dance moves during a band’s performance. An insider described him as a “cheeky monkey” and a typical third child.

The Trooping the Colour ceremony itself is a centuries‑old tradition that began in 1748. It involves the slow and quick march‑past of the Household Division’s Foot Guards, the Household Cavalry, and the King’s Troop, accompanied by massed bands. After the parade, the monarch reviews the troops and the royal family appears on the balcony for the RAF flypast.

Prince George, born on July 22, 2013, is the eldest child of Prince William and Catherine and the second in line to the throne behind his father. The incident at the balcony was a small, human moment that highlighted the royal family’s presence in everyday life.

The event was covered by multiple media outlets, including the Telegraph, BBC, and several social media platforms. The video of Prince George’s sneeze went viral, prompting comments from fans and commentators who noted the light‑hearted nature of the moment.

Trooping the Colour continues to be a key event for the British monarchy, drawing millions of viewers worldwide and serving as a reminder of the traditions that underpin the United Kingdom’s constitutional monarchy.