Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Trooping the Colour

This post marks me out as my usual geeky self but I don't really care!!!  As you know at the weekend I was down in London to see the awesome, greatness that is Bon Jovi.  However on Saturday it was the 'Official' Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Now I'm not really a Royalist but I do love me some Pomp and Ceremony like any good British Girl.  The exact timing of everything and the regimentation amazes me and I love the fly past because I'm a bit of a plane geek!!!  All my pictures of the planes were terrible but this is the Troops marching past the Palace:




The origins of the Trooping of the Colour date back to the time of Charles II in the 17th Century when the colours of the Regiment were used as a rallying point in battle.  The first traceable mention of using the Trooping of the Colour for a Kings birthday celebration is back in 1748 and after King George III became King in 1760 it was ordered that parades should mark the Kings birthday.  With a few notable exception during the Two World Wars it has been an annual event:




Over 1400 officers and men are on parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and corps of drums march and play as one. As the clock strikes 11am the Royal Procession arrives in Horseguards Parade for the Queen to take the salute.  They then march back along the Mall to Buckingham Palace where a fly past marks the end of the ceremony.  


If ever you get chance to attend, I truly recommend it!  We din't get to go to the actual trooping at Horse Guards Parade, as it is always tickets only, but we did get a good spot on the Mall and then outside Buckingham Palace where we got chance to wave at Lizzie and shout Happy Birthday whilst they were waiting for the flypast!!!



Happy 84th Birthday Lizzie!!!!
Posted by Emma at 19:57
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7 comments:

  1. julie15 June 2010 at 21:04

    You're making me reminisce about my days of studying in Europe. Oh, to be young again. I saw Bon Jovi a few months back as well. It was definitely a good show.

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  2. Ronnica15 June 2010 at 21:37

    You all definitely have more culture and history than we do here in the US!

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  3. Sharlene T.16 June 2010 at 02:02

    It is so hard to believe she's 84! We were there for her Mum's 100th birthday and I love the color guard...wish I were there, right now...thanks for the nostalgia and sharing...come visit when you can...

    Twitter: SolarChief

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  4. Anonymous16 June 2010 at 11:50

    That balcony is going to collapse one day you know.lovely to see such Britishness still going on, love it. so glad you had a lovely weekend.
    xx

    The Organ Grinder

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  5. Unknown16 June 2010 at 12:00

    84 - she's doing well! Sounds fascinating! Hope you had a great time.. Bon Jovi sounds fantastic - you lucky woman! :)

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  6. Anonymous17 June 2010 at 02:48

    Good for you darling. I've seen it myself and it is truly amazing. I think everyone should see it at least once.

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  7. DD's Diary18 June 2010 at 11:05

    What fun for you and what great timing! Sounds like a great day out :)

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