King Charles to Lead Moment’s Silence at Trooping the Colour for Ahmedabad Crash Victims

Photo: Reuters

London — In a powerful gesture of respect and solidarity, King Charles III has announced that during Saturday’s Trooping the Colour, the annual ceremony marking his official birthday, a minute’s silence will be observed in honour of the victims of the recent Air India Flight AI 171 crash near Ahmedabad, India. The monarch and other senior members of the Royal Family will also wear black armbands during the ceremony—a poignant tribute to the 241 passengers and crew members who lost their lives.

The modification to the Trooping the Colour programme has been described by Buckingham Palace as a gesture “as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy.” The decision follows King Charles’s earlier public expression that he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked” by news of the crash.

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The minute’s silence will take place after the King has finished inspecting the ceremonial guard at Horse Guards Parade. A lone bugler will sound the traditional Last Post, followed by Reveille, marking a solemn interlude in the pomp and pageantry of the event. All participants—including senior military officers, mounted troops, and Royal Mews personnel—will wear black armbands, a symbolic sign of remembrance and unity.

This adaptation mirrors a similar response by the Royal Family during the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, underscoring the connection between the crown and moments of national and global sorrow.

The Ahmedabad tragedy, which involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, occurred just minutes after take‑off on June 12. Preliminary inquiries indicate 241 people perished on board, with 38 fatalities on the ground near the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar. Only one person survived. The incident sparked international outcry—UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, along with global leaders, and aerospace bodies have all expressed shock.

As part of their honours, the royal family's decision aligns with a global wave of tribute. The India national cricket team observing a minute’s silence before their England tour matches and UAE places of worship offering multi-faith prayers are further testaments to widespread solidarity .

For the King, weaving this tribute into Trooping the Colour—one of the most watched royal events—sends a clear message: the UK stands with India in mourning and remembrance. Residents of Ahmedabad, the families of victims, and all affected communities will see their grief honoured on an international stage—an act that transcends borders and reaffirms global empathy.