London streets were once again full of cheering crowds on
Saturday 17 June, to join in the celebrations for the Queen’s Official
Birthday. The Queen was born on 21April,
but it is traditional to celebrate the day in summer when good weather is
more likely.
The Trooping of the Colour ceremony is carried out by her
personal bodyguards, the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry)
and dates back to the days when the colours of a regiment were ‘trooped’ before
the soldiers to make sure every man could recognise his own regiment and which
battle colours to follow.
Photo: PA |
More than 16,000
officers and soldiers take part in the Trooping of the Colour and the Queen has
attended every single parade since her coronation, riding side-saddle on
horseback until 1987 wearing the uniform
of the Regiment whose colour was being trooped. This year it was the flag of
the 1St Battalion Coldstream Guards.
Photo: PA |
This year the Queen and Prince Phillip arrived at Whitehall
in the Glass Coach ready to enjoy the pomp and ceremony, whilst the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish
Guards, The Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal,
Colonel of the Blues and Royals and the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots
Guards were in full military dress on horseback.
Photo: Reuters |
Wearing a sunny yellow coat and hat, the Queen must have
been delighted to have the Duke of Edinburgh at her side again after his spell
in hospital and they regularly stood to take the salute before sitting to enjoy
more of the stirring music. A quick march with an American flavour was included
as a tribute to the close co-operation of the British and American forces in
Afghanistan. The massed bands managed to
perform complicated marching manoeuvres whilst belting out some toe-tapping
music.
Photo: Reuters |
Stepped in historical tradition, this tremendous performance
of pageanty and skill is the opportunity for the armed forces to demonstrate
their commitment to their Monarch. The
display of attention to detail, teamwork and discipline are all qualities which
directly relate to how soldiers need to behave on a battlefield.
Photo: Reuters |
After the parade the Queen and Duke, in the Glass Coach,
were then escorted back to Buckingham Palace by a Sovereign’s Escort from the
Household Cavalry in their shining breastplates and plumed helmets, along with
the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
fired a 41 gun salute in Green Park and at the Tower of London the Honourable
Artillery Company fired a 62-round salute.
Photo: AFP |
Back at the Palace the Queen and her family appeared on the
balcony to enjoy the warmth of the crowds and for another spectacular RAF flypast,
finishing with the Red Arrows and their stream of red, white and blue.
Photo: Reuters |
Two days later and the Mall and Horseguards Parade were yet
again a hive of activity with lorries and workmen making preparations for the
Olympic Beach Volley Ball on the Parade Ground and installing the security equipment
for the events on the Mall.
Next time you see this it will be a Beach Volley Ball arena |
Security |
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