Relive Charles I’s Final Journey: London’s Royalist Reenactment
The King’s Army, a royalist faction of the English Civil War Society, annually stages a poignant and meticulously detailed reenactment commemorating the “horrid murder” of King Charles I. This event, now in its 54th year, transports central London back to January 30, 1649, the grim date when Charles I was led from St James’s Palace to Banqueting House on Whitehall and beheaded, marking the end of the English Civil War.
The reenactment serves as a unique educational and immersive experience, offering attendees a tangible “time travel” opportunity. It showcases scores of full-costumed volunteers, mounted troops, and period weaponry, meticulously tracing the King’s final, short journey to the scaffold. The event begins near St James’s Palace on The Mall, where participants, initially in funeral dress, assemble around 11:15 am. At 11:30 am, the procession moves to Horse Guards Parade for a solemn ‘drumhead’ service, which includes the trooping and blessing of a colour, administration of the Oath of Loyalty, and presentation of awards. Around 12:30 pm, a commemorative wreath is carried through Horse Guards Arch and laid at Banqueting House, specifically remembering “His Majesty’s Horrid Murder.”
A notable aspect of The King’s Army’s approach is their deliberate avoidance of the term “execution,” reflecting their belief that Charles I’s beheading was not a legal act. After the wreath-laying, the funeral dress is removed, and the soldiers retrace their route to St James’s Palace with drums beating and colours flying. This free public event, scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026, offers a compelling historical spectacle for anyone, regardless of monarchist leanings, to witness a pivotal moment in British history brought vividly to life. Reenactors even prepare for cold weather by wearing extra shirts, mirroring accounts from the original event.
