Trooping the Colour: Why the King’s birthday flypast jets spelt out ‘CR’

RAF jets spelt out CR over Buckingham Palace for the King’s official birthday.
Andre Langlois
By Andre Langlois
Published 17th Jun 2023, 14:22 BST
Updated 17th Jun 2023, 14:22 BST
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By all accounts, the King was as suprised as most of the crowd with one part of today’s celebrations of his official birthday.

Following the ‘Trooping the Colour’ ceremony, in which King Charles III took part on horseback, a flypast of 70 aircraft took place over Buckingham Palace.

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At one point RAF jets took up a formation clearly spelling out ‘CR’.

RAF jets spell out ‘CR’ as part of a flypast during Trooping the Colour. (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images)RAF jets spell out ‘CR’ as part of a flypast during Trooping the Colour. (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images)
RAF jets spell out ‘CR’ as part of a flypast during Trooping the Colour. (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images)

‘CR’ stands for ‘Charles Rex’, in honour of the monarch, ‘rex’ being Latin for ‘king’.

The flypast was a highlight for many, after royal supporters took up places on The Mall to witness proceedings.

ANother highlight for many was the sight of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis enjoying a ride in a horse-drawn carriage with Catherine, Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla.

For the flypast, The Red Arrows were joined by some familiar aircraft including Spitfires and the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight, which includes the Hurricanes.

Related topics:RAFBuckingham PalaceCharles IIILondon

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