Trooping the Color is a spectacular event that takes place in London on the second Saturday in June.

It has marked the official birthday of the Sovereign for more than 250 years, and has been held annually since 1820.
Queen Elizabeth's actual birth date is April 21st, but the celebration has been held in June since the reign of Edward VII in an attempt to ensure fine weather for the event.

Trooping the Colour is an old tradition within the British Army infantry.
It goes back to the days when regimental flags, or colours, were used as a rallying point on the battlefield.

Capturing enemy colours was a primary objective, and similarly losing your own regimental colours was greatly shameful and to be avoided at all costs.

The Trooping of Colours in modern days carries on that tradition, and honours the fallen soldiers who gave their lives to protect the colours and their Sovereign.

The infantry regiments of the Queen’s Household Division take part in the ceremony, with over 1400 soldiers, horses, and musicians on parade.

The Queen now rides the parade in a horse drawn carriage, although for many years she attended on horseback herself and wearing the uniform of one of the regiments.

The route of the parade runs from Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, and then back again.
At the end of the ceremonies, the Queen and her family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force.

There are no tickets required to attend this event, but there are a limited amount of seated stands located at Horse Guards Parade.
These seats are awarded by ballot to those who write in requesting them in January and February, and competition for them is quite keen.

If you are not lucky enough to win yourself a seat, you can watch the parade from anywhere along the route, but be sure to get there early as it gets quite crowded.

Trooping the Color is a unique event that visitors to London should not miss.

Visiting Trooping the Colour

Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, Westminster, SW1A 2AX

12th June 2010

Telephone: 020 7414 2479

Opening Times

Processions can be seen from from the Mall. Events begin at approximately 10am | Fly-past 1pm

Ticket Prices

FREE to watch from the Mall

Photo courtesy: Jon's pics

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