Britain> Top Annual Events

The Queen's Birthday Parade

The real title pertaining to the famous military procession in honor of the English Queen's birthday is "Trooping the Colour." The spectacular event takes place in London every year, on the second or third Saturday of June. Millions of people worldwide watch it on TV, and a significant number attend to see the Queen and her royal guards in person. However, the Queen's birthday is actually on April 21st. An interesting tradition is at the root of this June celebration.

The parade consists of the Household Cavalry and five troops of Foot Guards - Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Coldstream and Grenadier Guards. The Division itself consists of Blues and Royals and Life Guards. A total of 400 military band members, 200 horses and 1,400 guards march over a stretch from Buckingham Palace, cover the Mall, which is a prime spot to observe the parade, the Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, and finally return to the Palace.

Each year, a Foot Guard regiment is 'trooped' before the Queen, hence the name of the event. This means that a given troop is carried along the ranks. The five regiments alternate on a yearly basis.

The custom was established in the 1600s. Brightly colored flags were used to identify forces in battle, and each regiment had a different color, which is why "trooping" is also known as "colouring" today. The colors were trooped in front of the forces every day. Over time, this habit of convenience transformed into a ceremony meant to honor the monarch's birthday. The event as we know it was properly established in 1805, and George III was the first sovereign to have this honor conferred upon him. The ceremony was held in the pleasant summer month of June, as his birthday was on June 4, and since then it has traditionally been held in May or June, regardless of the current ruler's actual birth date.

Household Troops, consisting of horse and foot guards, are exceptionally connected to the monarch, being their personal guard. The custom of the monarch taking a salute during the parade was established during the reign of Edward VII. Prior to 1914, the King, Prince, foreign royals and Army Council, among others, attended the mounting. Edward VII was accompanied in 1907 by a vast procession on horseback. In 1914, George V decided to change the ceremony, as it was gaining in popularity. New, more exciting features were in order. From then on, the King stood at the head of the troops and rode towards Buckingham Palace, preceded by the bands. The monarch stood at the central gateway and took a salute from the parade, which then began marching back. This form of the parade has generally been preserved, with some minor changes.

The Royal Family travels in a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by musicians and marching guards. The Queen takes a salute from her guards, and waves to the spectators once she has returned to Buckingham Palace. The event is also marked by royal gunfire. This type of salute is also given on the Queen's actual birthday, April 21st.