C4.25 Trooping the Colour
Guide to the British Queen's Official Birthday Celebration and the UK Royal Military Parade "Trooping the Colour"
The British Queen passed away on 8 September 2022. This article serves as a reference, and in the future, this event will be hosted by Charles, the son of Elizabeth II and the current King.
Guide to the British Monarch's Official Birthday Celebration and the Royal Military Parade "Trooping the Colour"
First, what is Trooping the Colour?Trooping the Colour is a British royal military parade, and also a royal parade celebration held annually to mark the British Monarch's official birthday. Members of the royal family almost all attend the event in full dress.
This parade ceremony has been a tradition of the British infantry regiments since the 17th century. On the battlefield, the colour (regimental flag) of a soldier's regiment was used as a rallying point. To allow soldiers to identify the regiment they belonged to, each regiment's uniform was designed in the specific colour corresponding to that regiment.
Since 1748, the Household Cavalry has basically celebrated the British Monarch's official birthday every year. The event is mainly held in London between May and June each year. The audience includes not only members of the royal family, invited guests and people who have bought tickets in advance, but also other members of the general public.
The ceremony is broadcast live by the BBC within the UK, and is also aired in Germany and Belgium. Since 2018, the Associated Press has provided live coverage of the event to audiences around the world on the Time magazine YouTube channel and the Facebook page of the British newspaper The Telegraph.
The Monarch departs Buckingham Palace and processes down The Mall, escorted by the Household Cavalry (Horse Guards). After receiving a royal salute, the Monarch reviews her infantry and cavalry divisions as well as the Royal Horse Artillery.
The music is provided by a large number of infantry bands and mounted cavalry bands, along with a drum corps and sometimes pipers, totaling approximately 400 musicians.
Following the procession back to Buckingham Palace, the Monarch continues to watch the ceremony. Then, in Green Park, after a 41-gun salute is fired, the Monarch, accompanied by members of the royal family, appears on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force flypast.
Trooping the Colour 2019There were three parades in total: two review parades and the Monarch's Birthday Parade, held over three days. A reminder: the parades are not held on consecutive days. Please check the time of each parade carefully and make arrangements in advance.
It is reviewed by Major General B J Bathurst, who is the Major General commanding the Household Division. In 2019, it took place on 25 May, starting at 10:00 in the morning and ending at 12:25 at noon.
Seated tickets cost £5 and standing tickets cost £2. Those who successfully purchase tickets will receive a notification via email by 31 March. Tickets can only be bought through the official website, and applications must be submitted before 1 March.
Venue address: Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
The regimental colour reviewed by the Major General is the same as that reviewed by Her Majesty the Monarch. The only difference is that it does not include the guards lined up in the square, nor some of the mounted police present when the Monarch attends.
A total of 1,450 Household Cavalry guards and 400 military band musicians will take part in the parade, which is the first of the two official review parades.
It is reviewed by the Duke of York, and took place on 1 June 2019, starting at 10:00 in the morning and ending at 12:25 at noon.
Seated tickets cost £10 and standing tickets cost £2. Those who successfully purchase tickets will receive an email notification by 31 March. Tickets can only be bought via the official website, and applications must be submitted before 1 March.
Venue address: Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
The colour of the cavalry unit reviewed by the Duke of York is the same as that reviewed by Her Majesty the Monarch; the only difference is that additional mounted officers are present when Her Majesty attends.
The parade contingent reviewed by the Duke of York also includes over 240 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards, who will march along The Mall.
A total of 1,450 soldiers and 400 military musicians take part in the parade, which is the second of the two official review parades.
The Monarch will travel in a carriage, waving to the crowd along the route. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards will line up before the Monarch on 8 June 2019. On that occasion, up to 1,450 soldiers including Household Cavalry personnel, as well as up to 400 musicians from military bands, will take part.
Over 240 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will be positioned along The Mall. In the afternoon, there will also be a Royal Air Force flypast.
The Royal Military Parade was first held during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685). In 1748, it was decided that this event would be used to mark the Monarch's official birthday.
Since George III became King in 1760, the event has been held annually. The guards participating in the ceremony are drawn from the Monarch's regiments. For them, taking turns to be deployed for this duty has become a tradition.
Since Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952, she has saluted during every procession except in 1955, when there was a national railway strike. Queen Elizabeth II's actual birthday is 21 April.
The Royal Parade will be held on 8 June 2019 and broadcast live by the BBC. The morning session starts at 10:00 and ends at 12:25. In the afternoon, at 13:00 (only at 13:00 on the afternoon of 8 June), the Royal Air Force will stage an air display, which can be watched along The Mall.
Seated tickets cost £50 and standing tickets cost £5. Venue address: Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
A reminder: Those who have purchased tickets must enter before 10:00.
Main Entrance (Whitehall Entrance):
Accessible via Charing Cross Station, Embankment Station or Westminster Station. (It will close at 10:20 am.)
North Side Entrance:
Accessible via Trafalgar Square, through Charing Cross Station/Embankment Station.
South Side Entrance:
Accessible via St James's Park, through Petty France & Birdcage Walk or Westminster Station.
Among these, the Downing Street entrance will close at 11:00. Anyone arriving late will be directed to the North Side Entrance and South Side Entrance.
When taking photos, please do not use the flash, as it may startle the horses.
There is no parking available nearby. For those driving, it is recommended to park your car elsewhere first, then walk to the venue or take public transport.
The nearest train 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 zone letter printed on your ticket, which will indicate which zone you belong to (ranging from A to N). Detailed guidance and instructions will be provided both on the ticket and at the venue.
For the three parades held at the above-mentioned times, the best viewing spots are along the red dotted line shown on the map below. This dotted line marks the route that the Monarch will take during the procession to and from the venue. Remember to arrive early, as some roads near the venue in London may be temporarily closed on the day.
Applications for tickets to the event must be submitted in January and February, with the ticket purchase deadline on 1 March. Tickets can only be bought via the official website. Ticketing link:
https://qbp.army.mod.ukHowever, even if you fail to get a ticket, you can still watch the event by gathering at the public viewing areas. Make sure to arrive early to secure a spot, and refer to the aforementioned map to choose your position. There will be a huge crowd on the day. Securing a spot near Buckingham Palace allows you to get a closer view of the Monarch and other members of the royal family.
Pets are not allowed at the event, except for guide dogs, which require the corresponding certification documents. Public toilets in the surrounding area are limited, so it is advisable to drink less water during the event and rehydrate after it ends.
The event is unlikely to be cancelled due to bad weather, though such a possibility exists—only in cases of weather conditions like thunder and lightning that would startle the horses. The last weather-related cancellation was in 1948, while the event was also cancelled in 1955 due to a railway strike.
As the weather may change during the event, it is recommended that you bring a hooded jacket or a raincoat. If you need to use an umbrella, ensure it does not block the view of the people sitting or standing behind you.