Why Prince Harry Doesn't Ride Horseback like Prince William During Trooping the Colour

From Town & Country

Despite both being grandsons of the Queen and the sons of Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne, Prince Harry and Prince William have very different roles in Trooping the Colour, the Queen's annual birthday celebration.

While Prince Harry arrived at the parade seated in a horse-drawn carriage alongside his wife Meghan Markle, Prince William was seen on horseback, wearing the full bearskin hat that is so iconic to the Queen's guard.

Today, William rode with not only his father Prince Charles, but also his aunt, Princess Anne, his uncle Prince Andrew, and the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Kent.

According to People, the reason why Harry does not ride on horseback during the parade is that he does not hold the position of a royal colonel.

"Prince William and Prince Charles are royal colonels, which is a position given by the Queen to a member of the royal family that serves as Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment in the British army or navy," wrote reporter Diana Pearl last year.

"In addition to William and Charles, Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward are all royal colonels, as is the Queen herself, and a number of other royal cousins, like the Duke of Kent and The Duke of Gloucester."

That said, not all royal colonels ride horseback during Trooping the Colour. The Queen and Prince Philip haven't ridden during the parade in recent years, likely due to their age.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward are all reportedly royal colonels as well, but they do not ride during Trooping the Colour. According to Pearl, Anne, Charles, William, and Andrew do, specifically, because they are Colonels of the Household Division.

('You Might Also Like',)

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• What Your Favorite Champagne Brand Says About You

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women