Trooping The Colour: The Queen’s Official Birthday Celebration

It’s one of the reasons we love Britain so much…because of her beautifully orchestrated ceremonies full of pomp and circumstance. Today Britain shall celebrate The Queen’s “Official” Birthday with the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Celebrating Her Majesty’s Birthday with Trooping the Colour

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely. Trooping the Colour marks The Queen’s official birthday and takes place on Horse Guards Parade by St. James’s Park, and also coincides with the publication of Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours List.

The Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies and carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry). The ceremony is watched by members of the Royal Family as well as invited guests and members of the public.

During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical ‘troop’, the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past Her Majesty, and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past.

Her Majesty inspects the troops.

The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks.

Her Majesty then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.

Royal Air Force performs a flypast

Rumor has it, Prince George might make his FIRST Trooping appearance at today’s ceremony! Remember, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge was expecting at last year’s Trooping ceremony.

Last year an expectant Duchess of Cambridge attends Trooping the Colour

The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event.

Trooping the Colour poster circa 1956

We will continue to add pictures to this blog post as they become available today. So check back!

Photos from Trooping the Colour 2014

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour parade, 14 June 2014.

The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge ride their horses as they escort The Queen down The Mall to attend the Trooping the Colour parade, 14 June 2014

Prince Charles and Prince William. Trooping the Colour 2014

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in an Ascot Landau carriage. It left Buckingham Palace for the drive along The Mall.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in an Ascot Landau carriage. It left Buckingham Palace for the drive along The Mall

The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal saluted as they left Buckingham Palace on horseback to attend the ceremony.

A royal salute!

The Duke of Edingburgh Salutes the Troops. Trooping the Colour 2014

The Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the annual Trooping the Colour parade which officially marks The Queen’s birthday, 14 June 2014.

The Royal Family watches the flypast at this year’s Trooping the Colour

Left to right: The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Princess Eugenie, Princess Anne, The Queen, Timothy Lawrence,
The Countess of Wessex, Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Prince Harry

Royal Air Force Red Arrows fly past Buckingham Palace during the Trooping The Colour parade to officially mark The Queen’s birthday, 14 June 2014.

Red Arrows flypast Trooping the Colour 2014

Alas, Prince George did not make an appearance today as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they felt he was still a bit too young. Perhaps next year? Here Catherine talks to young Estella Taylor, daughter to the Queen’s first cousin once removed Lady Helen Taylor.