Trooping the Colour & the Queen's Birthday

Trooping the Colour

by: Spoonfed Holidays

Trooping the Colour held on Saturday 12 June 2010 officially celebrates the Queen's Birthday

Also referred to as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, Trooping the Colour is an annual military parade that is held during the month of June in the heart of London. Traditionally done before and after battles, Trooping the Colour gave battalions the opportunity to fall into their ranks, displaying their flags (colours) to the Sovereign and public. The ceremony is now largely symbolic, and is seen as an opportunity for the Queen’s personal guards to pay their respects and publically celebrate her birthday with great pageantry. Although the Queen's actual birthday is 21 April, but it has been a longstanding tradition to hold it publicly in the summer when the weather is finer.

Trooping the Colour is held in Westminster, with the best bits taking place around Buckingham Palace, the Victoria Memorial and in Green Park. At 10am on Saturday June 12th, the Royal Family will depart Buckingham Palace heading along The Mall towards Whitehall. At 11:00 the parade commences, and for the duration of the ceremony, crowds are treated to a variety of military marches and displays. The ceremony culminates at 13:00 with the return of the Queen to Buckingham Place, where she looks on from the balcony and receives a 41-gun salute and a flypast by the RAF.

Tickets for the stands have already been allocated, but the general public could easily join the fun from St. James Park’s or along the Mall. Those hoping for a good view should arrive early however, as this slice of Britannia tends to draw large crowds of Brits and tourist alike. Trooping the Colour would also be broadcast live on the BBC, but attending the ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to experience a longstanding British tradition, one that provides excellent photo opportunities. After the ceremony is officially over, military bands will continue to entertain the crowds, but as it is a Saturday there will be a plethora of options available for post-parade entertainment. Here are a few of the best available:

Live Jazz @ the Dover St Wine Bar
Mayfair: 7pm
Just a stone's throw away from the parade in Mayfair is a regular London jazz night for the connoisseur or is simply a fine way to unwind after a day of fiercely waving flags.

The Best of the Comedy Store : Udderbelly comedy festival @ Southbank
Southbank: 10:45pm
Celebrating the best talents on Britain's comedy scene is the Udderbelly festival being held on London's Southbank for eight weeks this summer. A light way to end the evening.

All My Sons @ The Apollo Theatre
Soho: 7.30pm
David Suchet and Zoe Wannamaker star in this war time family drama that struggles with death and morality in times of conflict.

Batteries Not Included @ The Quad
Holborn: 7pm
A three-room shindig that boasts moments of a festival that you've never had, dishing up indie, pop and funk/soul DJs and bands.

Click here to see all things to do in London on Saturday June 12th.

Spoonfed Holidays