Royal family to wear black armbands, observe silence during Trooping the Colour
The British royal family will don black armbands and observe a solemn minute of silence at this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday, as a mark of respect for the victims of the catastrophic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. The tribute, ordered by King Charles III, follows the tragic deaths of at least 241 people, including 53 British nationals, aboard the London-bound flight.
The ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, sending shockwaves across both the United Kingdom and India. The aircraft was carrying at least 169 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens.
The Trooping the Colour parade, held annually to mark the monarch’s official birthday, typically features military pomp and royal pageantry with over 1,300 troops, 200 horses, and hundreds of musicians participating. But this year, the celebrations will be noticeably subdued.
In a statement, a palace spokesperson confirmed that King Charles had personally requested alterations to the proceedings, stating: “His Majesty felt it was only right that the celebrations be tempered with an expression of grief and solidarity. The decision reflects the royal family’s deep sympathy for those grieving and a profound sense of loss shared by both nations.”
Earlier on Thursday, the King issued a heartfelt message expressing sorrow and support:
“My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones,” the statement read.
“I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.”
The aircraft reportedly lost altitude soon after take-off and crashed on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, sparking a massive inferno. Thick plumes of smoke blanketed the crash site, as fire brigades and specialised teams from the National Disaster Response Force scrambled to rescue survivors and contain the blaze.
Local authorities in Gujarat have launched a full-scale investigation, with technical teams from Air India and the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation on site. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have also offered technical support to the Indian inquiry.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer conveyed his sorrow in a message posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter:
“Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families up and down the country. I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the horrific plane crash.”
As tributes pour in from across the world, vigils are being planned in London, Birmingham, and Leicester, where large communities of the British-Indian diaspora have been affected. Several MPs have also called for a national day of mourning to honour the victims.
With both nations now united in grief, Saturday’s royal tribute is expected to resonate deeply, not just within the United Kingdom, but among millions in India mourning the devastating loss of life.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
