Everything you need to know about Trooping the Colour
A royal ceremony of pomp and pageantry, Trooping the Colour celebrates the Queen's official birthday, or public celebration, on 8th June each year.
Trooping the Colour is also known as the Queen's birthday parade, when members of her personal guard, the Household Division, honour her with a procession which extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again.
According to The Household Division, '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'. They are dressed in their signature red ceremonial uniform and bearskin hats.
The Queen takes the salute and inspects members of the Household Division. She then leads the procession by carriage back to Buckingham Palace where she is joined on the balcony by other members of the royal family for a fly-by by the Royal Air Force.
When is Trooping the Colour 2019?
Trooping the Colour takes place on Saturday 8th June 2019. The procession starts at 10am.
What does Trooping the Colour mean?
Trooping the Colour gets its name from the regimental flags, or 'colours', different units of the army carried into battle. Processions and ceremonies such as these were used to help soldiers recognise their 'colours' in case they became disorientated on the battle field. You can read more about its origins on The Household Division website.
When was the first Trooping the Colour?
The Household Guard have been protecting Britain's various monarchs in battle since the English Civil War in 1660. It's believed the first Trooping of the Colour took place during the reign of King Charles II (around the late 17th century), and became the official birthday parade of the sovereign in 1760 under King George III.
Can you buy tickets to Trooping the Colour?
Yes you can, but tickets for Trooping the Colour 2019 through the online public ballot have now sold out.
What do you wear to Trooping the Colour?
According to etiquette authority Debretts, formal dress should be worn in the bandstand for Trooping of the Colour. This means a dress and jacket or suit. No denim is allowed, and hats are optional.
Where is the best place to watch Trooping the Colour?
If you haven't been lucky enough to secure tickets to the bandstand in Horse Guards Parade to watch the Trooping the Colour, you can watch the parade from various vantage points on the parade route – including St James' Park and the Mall. Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis and fill up quickly, so get there early. The BBC will also show highlights on the day.
Why does the Queen have two birthdays?
The Queen has a private and an official (or public) birthday due to longstanding tradition. Her actual birthday falls on 21st April. Her official birthday is on the second Saturday in June and marked by Trooping the Colour. King George II began the monarch's double birthday celebrations in 1748.
('You Might Also Like',)
