After the moment of waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, what was going on behind that splendid door?

The moment members of the British Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade always attracts the eyes of millions of people. It was a rare occasion when the public could see almost the entire Royal Family gathering and smiling in formal costumes. But as the cheers from The Mall subsided, and the door behind the balcony closed – what awaited them inside?

According to revelations from former royal butler Grant Harrold, after returning to the palace, members often move into the Centre Room – one of the elegant spaces overlooking the balcony where they have just appeared. Here, each person will retrieve their drinks, before heading into a private lunch, usually held in the Chinese Drawing Room, a formal but family-style dining room.

After lunch, people usually enjoy coffee or tea in an intimate setting. Some members, depending on their own schedules, will leave the palace shortly afterwards. King Charles III, with his tight work schedule, often leaves quickly to return to Highgrove or Clarence House – most likely Highgrove.

However, the rest can stay longer, enjoying the rare moment of being together – which is not easy for a royal family who always shares time between public duties and private life. Former housekeeper Harrold also shared that this is the time when the previous generation can gently guide and remind younger members of responsibilities and standards when appearing in public.

This year, the Trooping the Colour ceremony has many special meanings. Not only marking the official birthday of King Charles III, the event also attracted attention because of the profound messages that were delicately integrated. The king has asked for a minute of silence for the victims of the Air India plane crash – a rare gesture within the framework of military ceremonies. He also asked senior members and participating officers to wear black tape on their left arm to show their remembrance.

Joining the parade alongside the King were Prince William (as Colonel of the Welsh Guard), Princess Anne (Colonel of the Blues and Royals), and the Duke of Edinburgh (Colonel of the Scottish Guard) – all of whom appeared with a solemn black ribbon.

This year also marks the first time that the Red Arrows aerobatic squadron uses sustainable aviation fuel made from vegetable oil to create a trail of red, white and blue smoke over London. An act that symbolizes the cohesion between tradition and the green step of the Royal Family.

The main color of this year’s parade is that of the 7th Company, the Coldstream Guards – the King’s long-standing guard, on the occasion of the 375th anniversary of its establishment. And even though it is a traditional ritual, Trooping the Colour continues to transform itself to reflect the new values that the current dynasty is pursuing: solemn but full of emotion, traditional but not rigid – like the moment of reunion behind the doors of Buckingham Palace.