Celebrating the King’s Birthday: A Royal Tradition Honoured in Milan

On June 12, 2025, the British community in Milan gathered at the elegant Palazzo Cusani to celebrate the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III. The evening, hosted by His Majesty’s Deputy Ambassador to Italy David Buron OBE and His Majesty’s Consul General Kassim Ramji MVO, brought together diplomats, business leaders, and members of the international community for a memorable reception filled with cultural pride, culinary excellence, and British tradition.

Two Birthdays, One Monarch

While King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, his birthday is officially celebrated in June, in line with a tradition that dates back to King George II in 1748. The reason? The British weather.

The monarch’s official birthday was moved to the summer to ensure better conditions for public celebrations and military pageantry. This practice has been maintained for over two centuries, and today, Trooping the Colour marks the official celebration of the Sovereign’s birthday.

What is Trooping the Colour?

Trooping the Colour is a dazzling display of military precision and royal pageantry, held each June in London. In 2025, it takes place on Saturday, June 14. Over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians gather in ceremonial uniform for a parade from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade.

This year’s event is particularly symbolic as it reflects King Charles III’s ongoing commitment to service despite health challenges. While the King will likely participate by carriage, Prince William, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, will lead part of the procession on horseback. The Coldstream Guards—one of the oldest regiments—will troop their regimental colour in honour of their 375th anniversary.

The celebration concludes with the Royal Family’s balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace and the much-anticipated RAF flypast, watched by thousands on the ground and millions around the world.

A Royal Evening in Milan

The Milan edition of the King’s Birthday Party offered an Italian take on British elegance. Held at Palazzo Cusani, the evening featured a warm welcome by Consul General Ramji, followed by a speech from Deputy Ambassador Burton. Guests stood for the national anthems of Italy and the United Kingdom and raised a toast to President Sergio Mattarella and His Majesty King Charles III.

Adding to the prestige of the occasion, Michelin-starred chef Carlo Cracco served as Guest of Honour, delighting guests with a show cooking demonstration that reflected a fusion of British and Italian flavours—a nod to the enduring friendship between the two nations.

A Moment of Connection and Continuity

For British nationals living in Milan and Italian friends of the UK, the celebration was more than a formal occasion—it was a reflection of enduring friendship and diplomatic ties. As guests arrived to the sound of live bagpipes and walked the red carpet flanked by banners of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s recent visit to Italy, the courtyard of Palazzo Cusani came alive with the best of British tradition. The presence of the GREAT campaign installation underscored the shared commitment to innovation, culture, and cooperation between the UK and Italy.

Article by Easy Milano editorial staff

Featured Photo: The King and Queen during their visit in Italy (April 2025) from Royal.uk