What is Trooping the Colour?

What is Trooping The Colour?

Trooping the Colour is a ceremony held by the British military regiments and the armies of the Kingdoms of nations.

Although the Queen's Royal Birthday is on April 21st, historically, because of King Edward VII, the British monarch celebrates a second "official" birthday on the second Saturday of June of each year. That's because celebrating a birthday in the winter is not at all pleasant around here. The colourful ceremony, also known as the Queen's Birthday pageant, is broadcast live by the BBC.

Source: Pinterest

More than 1400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians gather every year in June for a great demonstration of military precision, riding and fanfare to mark the Queen's official birthday, that originally takes place on the 21st of April.

Source: wikipédia

Source: Pinterest • In the photo, Princess Elizabeth represented the king at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London on June 7, 1951.

In the past, the Queen used to participate on horseback. But with her growing age, she prefers to ride in a carriage. On the big day, royalty travels in procession through the horse-drawn carriage of Buckingham Palace, along the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and vice versa. After the military bands presented themselves, the regimental colour, or flag, escorted is processed by the ranks of soldiers. More than one hundred words of command are used by the officer in charge of the parade to direct the several hundred soldiers.

Once the foot Guards pass through the Queen, she returns to Buckingham Palace in front of the soldiers, before making the salute to greet crowds and watch the RAF's spectacular flight.

Sources: Royal Palace Website and Wikipedia.