One can certainly say one thing about the British: they know pageantry! Today, on a beautiful early summer’s day, was the annual King’s Birthday Parade, the most important of the three occasions for the Trooping of the Colour. Indeed, this is the most important ceremonial occasion of the year for the Royal Family. I live only a few blocks from Buckingham Palace… so I could not resist the opportunity to watch. Wow! what a scene.
This curious ceremony has a history dating back over 350 years, so let me share some background. Although “His Majesty’s actual birthday is 14th November,… The Sovereign’s official birthday is celebrated with the ceremony of the King’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. This impressive display of pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June, performed by His Majesty’s personal troops of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums march and play in unison.” [Royal Household]
‘Trooping the Colour’ dates to the days when young officers would march (‘troop’) between the ranks of soldiers, displaying the flags (‘colours’) that represent the color and insignia of each regiment’s uniforms [Royal Household]. “The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed first during the reign of King Charles II (1660 – 1685). In 1748, it was decided that this parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign and it became an annual event after George III became King in 1760.” “Officially titled the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade, the ceremony is regarded as the premier event of the ceremonial year.” [Royal Navy]
“The Guards are amongst the oldest regiments of the British Army and have served as the personal bodyguards of The Sovereign since the monarchy was restored after the English Civil War in 1660.” This year, for the first time, in the ceremony’s 350-year history, the Royal Navy has taken part. [Navy]
The parade proceeds from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade Ground at the other end of the Mall, where the King reviews the troops and watches the Trooping of the Colour, and then the parade returns to the palace. A massive flag flies over Buckingham Palace: the Royal Standard, flown only when the King is in residence. “Since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the composition of the Royal Standard has taken various forms. In today’s Standard there are four quarterings – England (three lions passant) in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland (a lion rampant) in the second quarter and Ireland (a harp) in the third quarter.”
It was impressive to see so many Grenadiers – those classic soldiers wearing red uniforms and bearskin caps. (See the interesting history of the bearskin hats!) Each regiment of the Grenadiers has its own marching band. Although all the regiments’ bands were impressive, today, I was most impressed by the mounted band, the Band of the Household Cavalry, which plays music as they ride horses. [watch!]
I arrived early, about 90 minutes prior to parade began, and was able to choose a good location along the Mall, just one step behind those who’d arrived even earlier. The crowd thickened behind me over the next hour and half, while we all waited excitedly for the parade to begin. From here I had a good view of the Grenadiers, the marching bands, and members of the Royal Family as they passed by in their carriages. King Charles looked directly at me as he passed!
So did Prince Louis, sitting next to his mother the Princess of Wales.
So did Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
After the parade returned to Buckingham Palace, the Royal Family gathered on the front balcony to greet the onlookers. The crowd was now allowed to approach the gates, filling the circle around the Queen Victoria memorial. Today that crowd included a small anti-monarchy group, carrying protest signs and flags. It was interesting to hear many in the crowd boo, as the protesters passed, and to hear the crowd spontaneously chant God Save the King!, in response to the protesters’ chants.
To conclude, after a 41-gun salute from cannons in neighboring Green Park, the Royal Air Force choreographed a tremendous flyover by a variety of aircraft… beginning with a WWII Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The King, Queen, and other members of the Royal Family watched from the palace balcony. (In January, we were able to visit the room behind that balcony!)
The finale was a spectacular display of red, white, and blue smoke from the Red Arrows. See my video of that finale, or from SkyNews on YouTube.
My photo gallery includes many more photos and videos, including photos of the Royal Family, and videos of the bands, which I hope you enjoy. The entire parade and ceremony can be seen on YouTube. Despite the length, it’s worth watching!
David Kotz 