Trooping the Colour 2013

No-one does pomp and pageantry quite like the British, and the annual Trooping the Colour is the perfect example of Britain doing what we do best in a military ceremonial display performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies. The colours, or flags, of the regiments were used as an assembly point in battle and were carried or 'trooped' in front of the soldiers daily so that each soldier would recognise his own regiment's colours without delay.

Since 1784, Trooping the Colour has also been used to mark the official birthday of the British sovereign. Queen Elizabeth was born on 21st April, but by publicly celebrating in the summer there is - in theory - a greater chance of good weather (however as it's Britain there's always a 90% chance it'll rain). It also coincides with the publication of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. 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 is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public (you can enter the ballot for tickets in January/February - I totally forgot this year but fully intend to next year!).

I went for the first time last year and was super keen following a week of Jubilee celebrations so got to Buckingham Palace just after 6am to find a spot looking directly at the balcony. This year, however, I decided to go for a different place, so only arrived at the Mall for 8:30am by which point all barrier space near the Queen Victoria monument and opposite Horse Guards Parade was occupied. If you're planning to do it and don't want to be up at the crack of dawn to be near the Palace, then I'd recommend where I ended up: by the entrance to St James's Park. It's the only place along the entire Mall that's completely unobstructed by trees, lampposts, or camera crews so you have a perfect view of everything going past.

From around 10am things start to happen, with troops starting to march along the Mall towards Horse Guards Parade. There's something quite special about hearing the march of the troops in the distance, the clip-clopping of the horses hooves, and having the music from the troops reverberate around the Mall and buzz in the air like at a concert. It's a bit magical really.

Troops then start to line the Mall, alongside the police.

Minor Royals then come past in cars, followed by the rest of the Royal Family by carriage.

The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge (+Baby Cambridge!) and Prince Harry:

Then there was the Duke of York and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, followed by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter Lady Louise:

And then the Queen (!) in a horse-drawn phaeton, followed by Princess Anne, Prince Charles, and Prince William on horse-back.

During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops of the Household Division, both foot guards and horse guards, and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery. 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 the Queen, who receives a salute from the saluting base, and parading with its guns, the King's Troop takes precedence as the mounted troops perform a walk-march and trot-past.

Nothing really happens for a while as the ceremony takes place, so I'd advise taking a book or something to keep you occupied while you wait. Also make sure you check the weather: getting wet or sun-burnt and then having to stand for hours without moving is never fun.

Everything then sort of happens at once. Instead of the steady stream of troops, horses, and carriages that made their way to Horse Guards Parade, on the way back they all seem to come in a flood of marching and trotting and drum beating. First there's the thunderous bells and hooves as troops prepare for the 41-gun salute in Green Park.

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. Following a 41-gun salute by the King's Troop in Green Park, she leads the Royal Family on to the palace balcony for a Royal Air Force flypast.

Whilst the Queen takes the salute at the dais, the troops that lined the Mall filed off through St James's Park to polite British clapping, lots of flag waving and the odd cheer from a particularly enthusiastic pensioner.

Police then walk crowds down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace for the balcony appearance. As I saw it last year, I decided to stay in the middle of the Mall to watch the fly-over and avoid being caught in the crowds.

It's a wonderful day, and if you're in London then I'd really recommend going along and experiencing a ceremony that lies at the heart of British tradition. God save the Queen, indeed!