King Charles has presented the Irish Guards with new colours ahead of Trooping.

The regiment will be parading their colour in front of The King on his official birthday at the special ceremony at Horse Guards Parade in London.

With just days to go until the parade , No 9 and No 12 Company The Irish Guards were at Windsor Castle where they received their new colours from His Majesty.

The colours, or regimental flags, were handed over in a special ceremony.

Charles III presented the Irish Guards with a new Regimental Colour and the King’s Colour.

The colours were consecrated during a special ceremony of prayer and blessings that took place on the Quadrangle at Windsor.

Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Irish Guards, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO, CBE was in attendance for the ceremony.

Also present was the regiment’s mascot, the Irish Wolfhound, Turlough Mor.

Colours were originally used as rallying points for troops on a battlefield. Today, they are most usually seen during ceremonial duties but the flags continue to accompany military on operations.

The new colour will take centre stage in the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade which will be held on June 15th 2024 in London.

King Charles, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, will attend by carriage with Queen Camilla at his side.

The Prince of Wales will ride at the ceremony.

The Princess of Wales, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards, had to miss the Colonel’s Review, the final practice ahead of Trooping, as she continues treatment for cancer.

Colonel Catherine sent a letter to the regiment on the morning of the review, speaking of her pride in them and expressing her regret at not being able to attend.