On Saturday June 14th we had a very exciting day planned, "meeting" the entire Royal Family during the Trooping the Colour ceremony (I didn't spell that wrong, that is how they spell color here). This is an event to celebrate the Queen's birthday even though her birthday is actually in April. Since it is such a large event which requires very precise planning it is held in June when the weather is typically nicer. There are actually 2 full dress rehearsals held the prior 2 Saturdays leading up to the event. They bring out all the horses, guards and bands and do the whole ceremony (just not including the Royal Family) to make sure everything will be perfect the during the real ceremony.
On the actual day the Queen herself as well as the rest of the Royal Family parade from Buckingham Palace down the Mall to Horse Guards Parade where the Trooping the Colour ceremony is performed. This is a tradition dating back to the 17th century and represents when soldiers in battle would raise their colour (flags) to be used as rallying points. During Trooping the Colour the Household Cavalry gives a royal salute and after the Queen inspects the troops and one is selected to "troop" the colour (carry the sovereign flag).
Luckily when Mom & Dad were here and we watched the State Opening of Parliament I had gotten all the inside details on how early to arrive, where to stand, etc from a paparazzi that we met. The parade was to start at 10:30 and just like I was advised a group of us showed up at 8:00 to claim our territory along the Mall for front row viewing. As time passed things quickly started filling up so we were glad we got there when we did! Notice in the pictures, not too many people around yet...
You pretty much have to drink champagne while you wait for the Queen right?!
After awhile the Royal Guards started to line up...
The marching bands and horses as well...
One of the first carriages to come past was carrying Kate, Camilla and Prince Harry. Prince William was actually riding on one of the horse so we weren't sure which one he was under the fluffy big black hats.
Brian did a great job taking these pictures as our very own paparazzi. That is why this blog is filled with so many pictures, so hard to choose! :)
So exciting to see Kate and Harry for the first time!
This band was playing while riding the horses...
And here comes the Queen and Prince Philip!
We even got a wave!
Love the crowns at the top of the poles along the Mall...
After the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade before Queen Elizabeth II makes her way back to the Palace the Royal Horse Artillery and King's Troop passed with cannons on their way to Green Park for a 41-gun salute. Loved hearing the horses and hearing their chains as they went by. Watch the video we took below to see...
And the Royal Family makes their way back, Kate on our side this time!
Here she comes again! The pageantry of the event was so great!
Love her cute smile in the picture below...
Another lucky tip I had from the paparazzi meant that we knew exactly how to be in the right place at the right time in order to be able to get close up to Buckingham Palace for when the Royal Family came out on the balcony. They come out to watch the finale of the day when the Royal Air Force does a series of fly overs.
Here they all come...
First time seeing Prince William (far right in the pic below)
The entire Royal Family looking up to watch the fly overs...
The Grand Finale!
The streaming red, white & blue along with the sound of the planes was so awesome!
Here is the video we took...
One last goodbye wave from the Queen before heading back into the Palace
What an exciting and successful day!
One of my favorite days in London so far!
The great photographer himself...Awesome job as "paparazzi for a day" Brian!
Can't wait until next year when Kayla will be here and we can do it all over again!
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