Princess Diana was just shy of 20 years old when she attended her very first Trooping the Colour with her soon to be husband, the now-King of England, King Charles III . However, the notable 1981 event is now infamous for an attack on Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles Might Be Dreading Trooping the Colour Because It Proves 'Slimmed-Down Monarchy' Failed
Trooping the Colour occurs annually on the second week of June and celebrates the official state birthday of the reigning monarch — though it is not the actual day they were born. Of course, in Diana’s time, this was Queen Elizabeth II, her mother-in-law. In 2024, however, June 14’s Trooping the Colour will celebrate Charles.
Typically, crowds watch the Royal Family walk in a parade to Buckingham Palace before they then stand on the balcony of the famous landmark to enjoy an impressive RAF fly-past.
In 1981, just over a month before marrying the future King , Princess Diana attended her first ever Trooping the Colour. Still a teenager, Diana’s attendance broke Royal protocol which traditionally followed a “no ring, no bring” rule — meaning only spouses could attend official royal events.
The couple, who privately started dating in July 1980, announced their engagement in February 1981. Thus, Trooping the Colour marked Diana’s first Royal event and what an event it was.
Diana rode in a carriage alongside Prince Andrew while Charles participated in the Royal parade on horseback.
While the family was making their way to Buckingham Palace, disaster struck when Queen Elizabeth was shot at by a teenager as she rode on horseback past the crowds. Per The Independent , Marcus Sarjeant, who was 17 years old at the time, fired six blank cartridges at the Queen. Though the shots didn’t cause injury, the sound startled her horse, Burmese, who the Queen had ridden at birthday parades since 1969. Fortunately, the 55-year-old monarch was able to keep composure and calm her horse.
Though she was visibly shaken, the Queen and the rest of the royals continued the parade as planned. Diana later joined the family on the balcony as the royals refused to let the incident derail their day.
Sarjeant was a member of the anti-royalist movement in Britain. After failing to buy ammunition for his father’s handgun, Sarjeant ordered two imitation revolvers which could only fire blanks. Before the shooting, he sent a letter to Buckingham Palace that read: “Your Majesty. Don’t go to the Trooping the Colour ceremony because there is an assassin set up to kill you, waiting just outside the palace.”
The letter only arrived three days after Trooping the Colour . Sarjeant was arrested immediately and, upon being caught, reportedly said: “I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be a somebody.” He spent three years in prison before getting out and changing his name.
Before you go, click here to see the best photos of the royal family at Trooping the Colour over the years.
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