Queen Elizabeth's Public Birthday Celebration, Trooping the Colour Is Cancelled — Here's Why

Queen Elizabeth II's public birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, has been canceled for the second time in a row. The celebration will reportedly be scaled down and take place in a new venue.

For the second year in a row, royal fans won't get to celebrate the anticipated Queen's public birthday celebration, usually known as Trooping the Colour, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The information was shared via a statement from Buckingham Palace, through the British Army, who is usually in charge of the ceremony. In a release shared on Twitter, the palace explained their decision.

The palace revealed that Trooping the Colour would not hold in its traditional form in Central London following discussions with the government and other parties. The statement noted that there are plans for another option. It read:

"Options for an alternative Parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered."

The palace added that the annual Garter Service, which takes place at St. George's Chapel, the Monday after the parade, would also not hold. They informed those who have been given tickets for the parade to expect a refund.

Following the claims of racism the Sussexes made, the Queen issued a statement.

According to reports, despite the success rates of vaccinations in the United Kingdom and steady decline in COVID-19 cases, the nation isn't ready to ease the restrictions around large public gatherings.

Trooping the Colour is the second celebration of the Queen's birthday which usually holds on the second weekend of June, about two months after the monarch's official birthday on April 12. The ceremony was set for June 12 this year.

News of the cancellation of Trooping the Colour comes as the royal family continues to grapple with the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive sit-down in Oprah Winfrey on March 7.

Although Meghan and Harry shared some shocking revelations about their times as royals, the Duchess of Sussex particularly spoke fondly of the Queen, recalling a sweet moment they shared on the train during their first joint public outing.

Meghan disclosed that the Queen offered her a chance to keep warm under the blanket she often carries around. Following the claims of racism the Sussexes made, the Queen issued a statement.

Her Majesty broke her silence two days after the CBS Special, noting that the family was saddened by her grandson and his wife's revelations and would look into the issue of racism privately.

Per reports, Trooping the Colour won't be the only royal event to be canceled due to the ongoing pandemic. It is expected that upcoming traveling plans that involve the Queen might be postponed or discontinued.