Trooping the Colour¶
Guide to the Official Birthday Celebration of the Queen of England, Trooping the Colour Parade
As of the reference date of this article, the Queen of England passed away on September 8, 2022. Therefore, this article serves as a reference for future events, which might involve Elizabeth II's son, Charles, who is currently the King.
The official birthday celebration of the Queen of England, the Royal Army's Trooping the Colour parade guide.
First of all, what is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is a royal military parade in the United Kingdom, which also serves as the official birthday celebration for the Queen of England. It takes place once a year, and members of the royal family typically attend the event in full ceremonial attire.
This parade has been a tradition of the British infantry since the 17th century. On the battlefield, the color or flag of a regiment is used as a rallying point, allowing soldiers to identify their own unit. Therefore, each regiment has its own distinct color incorporated into their uniforms.
Since 1748, the Household Cavalry has been celebrating the official birthday of the British monarch on an annual basis. The event primarily takes place in London, usually between May and June. The audience includes members of the royal family, invited guests, pre-ticketed individuals, as well as other ordinary members of the public.
The ceremony is broadcast live by the BBC within the UK, and it is also televised in Germany and Belgium. Since 2018, the Associated Press has provided live coverage of the event to viewers around the world through the "Time" magazine YouTube channel and the Facebook page of the British newspaper "The Telegraph."
The Queen departs from Buckingham Palace and parades along The Mall, escorted by the Household Cavalry (either mounted or on horseguard duty). After receiving the royal salute, she inspects her infantry and cavalry divisions, as well as the Household Division's Royal Horse Artillery.
The music is provided by numerous military bands consisting of infantry and mounted bands. Additionally, there is a drum corps and occasionally bagpipers, totaling around 400 musicians.
After the procession, the Queen returns to Buckingham Palace, where she continues to observe the ceremony. Later, in Green Park, after the firing of 41-gun salutes, the Queen and other members of the royal family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to witness a flypast by the Royal Air Force.
Trooping the Colour in 2019 consisted of two parades and the Queen's Parade, totaling three events held over three days. It's important to note that the parades do not occur consecutively for three days, so it's essential to check the timing of each event and plan accordingly in advance, as advised by Ten-liter Meow.
First Trooping the Colour Parade
The parade will be reviewed by Major General B.J. Bathurst, who is responsible for the Household Division. It will take place on May 25, 2019, starting at 10:00 AM and concluding at 12:25 PM.
Tickets for seating are priced at £5, while standing tickets are £2. Those who successfully purchase tickets will be notified via email before March 31. Tickets can only be purchased through the official website and must be obtained by March 1.
Ticket purchase link: https://qbp.army.mod.uk
The address is Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX.
The regiment reviewed by the Major General will have the same colors as those reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen, with the only difference being the exclusion of the guards lined up on the square and some mounted police when the Queen is present.
The parade will feature 1,450 Household Cavalry guards and 400 musicians from military bands. This is the first parade of the two formal Trooping the Colour Parades.
Second Trooping the Colour Parade
The parade will be reviewed by the Duke of York and will take place on June 1, 2019, starting at 10:00 AM and concluding at 12:25 PM.
Tickets for seating are priced at £10, while standing tickets are £2. Those who successfully purchase tickets will be notified via email before March 31. Tickets can only be purchased through the official website and must be obtained by March 1.
Ticket purchase link: https://qbp.army.mod.uk
The address is Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX.
The cavalry units reviewed by the Duke of York will have the same colors as those reviewed by Her Majesty the Queen, with the addition of some mounted officers when the Queen is present.
The parade reviewed by the Duke of York will also include over 240 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who will march along The Mall.
A total of 1,450 soldiers and 400 musicians from military bands will participate in the parade. This is the second of the two formal Trooping the Colour Parades.
Official Birthday Parade of the Queen
The Queen will be seated in a carriage, waving and parading along the route. On June 8, 2019, the soldiers of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards will form a procession in front of the Queen. Up to 1,450 Household Cavalry soldiers and up to 400 musicians from military bands will be participating in the event.
Over 240 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will be stationed at the shopping center. In the afternoon, there will be a flypast by the Royal Air Force.
The Royal Trooping the Colour Parade originated during the reign of King Charles II (1660-1685). In 1748, it was decided to use this event to commemorate the official birthday of the monarch.
Royal Trooping the Colour Parade
After King George III ascended to the throne in 1760, the Royal Trooping the Colour Parade has been held annually. The participating guards are selected from the monarch's own troops, and it has become a tradition for them to rotate their duties.
Since Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952, except for the nationwide railway strike in 1955, she has saluted during each procession. The Queen's official birthday, however, falls on April 21.
The Royal Trooping the Colour Parade will take place on June 8, 2019. The BBC will provide live coverage. The morning session starts at 10:00 AM and concludes at 12:25 PM. In the afternoon, at 1:00 PM (only on June 8), the Royal Air Force will perform an aerial display, which can be viewed from the shopping center.
Seating tickets are priced at £50, while standing tickets are £5. The address is Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX.
Ten-liter Meow reminds you that ticket holders must enter before 10:00 AM.
Main Entrance: Whitehall Entrance
Access via Charing Cross Station, Embankment, or Westminster (Closes at 10:20 AM)
North Side Entrance:
Access via Trafalgar Square through Charing Cross Station/Embankment
South Side Entrance:
Access via St James Park through Petty France & Birdcage Walk or Westminster
Note that the Downing Street entrance will close at 11:00 AM, and latecomers will be directed to the North and South entrances.
When taking photos, please refrain from using flash as it may startle the horses.
There is no parking available in the vicinity, so it is recommended for those with cars to park elsewhere and either walk or use public transportation.
The nearest underground stations are Charing Cross, Waterloo, and Victoria.
The nearest Tube stations are Westminster, Embankment, Charing Cross, St James's Park, and Victoria.
Please check the letter on your ticket, as it indicates the designated area you belong to. The letters range from A to N, and there will be detailed instructions and guidance on-site and on your ticket.
For the three parade timings mentioned above, the best viewing locations are marked by red dashed lines on the map. The route outlined by these dashed lines is the path the Queen will take during her procession. Remember to arrive early as certain roads in the vicinity of London may be temporarily closed on the day.
To participate in the event, you need to apply for ticket purchase in January and February. Ticket sales will end on March 1, and tickets can only be purchased through the official website. Ticket purchase link: https://qbp.army.mod.uk
However, even if you didn't manage to buy tickets, you can still go to watch the parade. In that case, it's recommended to arrive early to secure a spot. Refer to the map provided earlier to choose a suitable location. On the day of the event, there will be a large crowd, so positioning yourself near Buckingham Palace will allow you to get a closer view of the Queen and other members of the royal family.
Please note that pets are not allowed, except for guide dogs, which require appropriate certification. Public toilets in the vicinity are limited, so it's advisable to drink less water and wait until the end of the event before hydrating.
The event is unlikely to be canceled due to inclement weather, but there is a possibility, particularly in cases of weather conditions that may startle the horses, such as thunderstorms. The last cancellation due to weather occurred in 1948, and in 1955, the event was canceled due to a railway strike.
As weather conditions may change during the event, it is recommended to bring a jacket with a hood or a raincoat. If you decide to use an umbrella, please ensure that it does not obstruct the view of the person seated behind you.