King Charles may face a difficult scheduling decision this weekend as the funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks is set to take place on the same day as Trooping the Colour.
Lady Pamela, one of Queen Elizabeth II’s closest friends and longtime confidantes, died on 5 June at the age of 97. Her funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon at Brightwell Baldwin Church in Oxfordshire.
The timing overlaps with Trooping the Colour, one of the most significant ceremonial events in the royal calendar and the official celebration of the King’s birthday.
Funeral timing creates royal scheduling conflict
Lady Pamela’s funeral is scheduled to begin at 3pm, only hours after the conclusion of the main Trooping the Colour events in London.
King Charles is expected to lead the traditional military parade before appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside senior royals during the RAF flypast.
Although the official celebrations are likely to finish by early afternoon, travelling from central London to rural Oxfordshire could complicate any plans for members of the Royal Family to attend the funeral service.
King Charles pays tribute to Lady Pamela
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed whether the King or any other royals will attend the funeral.
Earlier this week, King Charles released a personal tribute describing himself as “greatly saddened” by Lady Pamela’s death.
He praised her “warmth, wit and perspicacity” and thanked her for a lifetime of loyal service and friendship to Queen Elizabeth II.
Lady Pamela held unique role in royal history
Born Pamela Mountbatten in 1929, Lady Pamela was the younger daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten and Edwina Mountbatten. She was also a first cousin of Prince Philip.
She served as a bridesmaid at the 1947 wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip before later becoming a lady-in-waiting to the future Queen.
Lady Pamela was also present in Kenya in February 1952 when news arrived that King George VI had died, marking the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Farewell coincides with major royal ceremony
Lady Pamela remained one of Queen Elizabeth II’s closest trusted friends for decades and was among the final surviving figures connected to the early years of the late monarch’s reign.
Her funeral now coincides with one of the monarchy’s most important annual ceremonial occasions, drawing attention to her historic connection with the Royal Family.
Thousands are expected to gather in London for Trooping the Colour while mourners prepare to pay their respects in Oxfordshire.
