Trooping the Colour

We left for Buckingham Palace at 7:30am this morning.  We arrived early enough so that we were able to stand in the front row just to the right of the Victoria Memorial facing the palace.

Our mission: The Trooping of the Colour

The program began promptly at 10:00am with the bands processing in front of us and then down the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade. The blue plume signifies Irish Guards. 

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Red plumes and buttons in sets of two set on the uniforms of the Coldstream Guards.

There were so many handsome horses.

As Prince Phillip is still in hospital, Queen Elizabeth was joined in the Glass Coach by her cousin the Duke of Kent.

One carriage carried Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge.  Prince Edward, the Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise were in another carriage.  A third carriage held the Duke of York and his daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.

The Metropolitan Police were ever-present.  This officer stood guard near us and we were able to chat with her during the 'down times' between activities.

I thought the police looked very smart in their No. 1 Dress Uniforms complete with white cotton gloves.

The troops and Royal family gathered at Horse Guards Parade for a lengthy review complete with complicated military march formations and band music. 

They then returned up the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Could you ride a horse and carry, much less play a tuba at the same time?

Two large Shires provided substantial mounts for the drummers. 

Her Majesty returned ...

...and with the Duke of Kent reviewed the troops a final time.

She even smiled a time or two!

The extended Royal Family watched from the balcony. 

Other than the lamp post on the left, I had an unobstructed view.

You probably recognize most everyone in this photo.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a wonderful soft pink outfit.

Was that a subtle hint as to the sex of the baby-to-be?  

Princess Ann, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge were not on the balcony.  They all rode horses near the Queen's coach and took part in the Trooping.

After the final review, the Queen entered Buckingham Palace.  We listened to a 41 gun salute as it boomed out from Green Park.  Then moments before 1:00pm, the Queen and members of the immediate Royal Family came out on the balcony.

Prince Harry and Prince William appeared to keep the Duchess of Cambridge entertained.

Prince Edward's young son, Viscount Severn appeared in the company of his parents and sister. 

 

I think everyone young and old enjoyed the military flyover!

I know I certainly did.

The flyover began with helicopters, and had Typhoons, Tornadoes, a C-17 Globemaster.

It ended with the colourful contrails of the Red Arrows.

The Queen waved good-bye, and thus ended the 2013 Trooping of the Colours.

Within 30 minutes the skies had darkened and the rain poured down.

It must be good to be the Queen!