Jubilee State Procession rehearsal

The dawn chorus in London took on a slightly different sound this morning.  It was the click clop of the magnificent horses taking part in the final rehearsal for Tuesday’s Jubilee Procession that woke the city of London.

The streets of central London were turned into a magical scene at 3.30am this morning, when the shadowy figures of over 2000 members of the armed forces and Royal Household performed a full dress rehearsal of the Jubilee State Procession which will take place on Tuesday.

Photo: PA

The route from, Westminster Abbey to  Buckingham Palace was lined with personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Foot Guards and Massed Banks of the Household Division, the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

Footguards and Massed Bands of the Household Division wearing
their bearskins but saving their formal red uniform for the big day.  Photo: PA

This marks the start of intense hard work for all those involved in the Jubilee weekend. A spokesman from the Royal Navy remarked that they had left Portsmouth at 12.30am, carried out the rehearsal at dawn and were off down to The Thames to take part in the River Pageant rehearsal at 8.30am.  All before breakfast - well done!