Trooping the Colour: HM The Queen’s Birthday Parade

On Saturday, 16th June 2012, I attended the annual Trooping of the Colour in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen. Although this parade is not related to the Royal Navy, or the Royal Naval Association, as a former serviceman, I wore my RNA Blazer, with medals and took my place at Horseguards Parade ground.

The weather forecast was for clouds and rain, but it remained dry for most of the parade. The troops began to form up and then we all waited for the Royal Party to arrive. First to enter the parade ground was Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge.

They were followed by Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

And then, Her Majesty The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh arrived, followed by the remaining senior members of the Royal Family.

I took over 500 photographs at the parade, obviously I’m not posting them all here, so the following is a selection from the day:

…a happy twist for me here, my father was a Coldstream Guard.

On completion of the march-past, the Queen departs for Buckingham Palace.

The parade ground was soon empty, people made their way to Buckingham Palace; however, as the public had been waiting outside from the early hours, there was no way I would get anywhere near the palace for the ‘balcony’ finale to the Birthday Parade. So, I left for home, it was a great day, and one I shall remember for years to come.