The “Trooping the Color” ceremonies have been a tradition of British forces since the seventeenth century. Several countries within the Commonwealth realm and those who have a historical relationship with Britain have adopted this tradition with few modifications. These countries have adopted the ceremony as in the United Kingdom or have adapted it to their national celebration needs. From the mid-eighteenth century to the present, the ceremony marks the official but not real birthday of the British ruler. Today this day falls on a specific Saturday in June each year and gives the Queen the opportunity to inspect her personal troops, the Family Division, in an event that brings together a parade of 1,400 officers, 400 musicians, 200 horses and one Moscow. past among others
The procedure and organization
In the first military practices from which Trooping the Color takes its foundation, capturing the colors of the enemy regiment was a great honor, rather than losing a color that meant defeat. In today’s event, the tests begin at the beginning of April and pass through two reviews, one from the Major General and the other from the current Colonel. These tests are held in full formal dress and the reviewers take the greeting at that time.
On the day of the ceremony, the guards begin to fly with the Royal Standard from Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards Building, while the public buildings wave the flags of the British Commonwealth of Nations and Union Jack. The color escort (guard number one) and other foot protectors form an L-shape that resembles the defensive formation of the “empty square”. Another group of participants are the troops on horseback and the Sovereign’s Escorts which include the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and First Dragoons), the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (Life Guards) and the King’s Troops. In a line along the edge of St. James’ Par is the Royal Horse Artillery from which a division will ride in front of the Queen’s carriage and another at the back. Also, important during the day, they are the Commanding Officers who give the drill and include Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Assistant. Finally, the last group of participants consists of 200 military bands from the Household Division and 400 musicians.
The Parade
First, the royal family arrives in barouches and climbs onto the balcony of the Horse Guards Building, the former office of the Duke of Wellington, from where the parade is displayed. After settling in, the Colonel in Chief (the Queen) and the Colonel of the Guards Grenadier (Duke of Edinburgh) enter the glass coach and travel from Buckingham Palace along the Mall. Accompanying them in front is the Sovereign’s Escort while on the back there are four Royal Colonels who are the Prince of Wales (Welsh Guards), the Duke of Cambridge (Irish Guards), the Duke of Kent (Scots Guards) and the Royal Princess (Blues and Royals). Behind this royal procession there are the unreal colonels, the Master of the Horse and a Major General who commands the Division of families and many other military officers.
The ceremony begins with the national anthem (God Save The Queen) after the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have lit. The parade then leads to slow and fast walking times while the queen inspects the foot guards, the family cavalry and the king’s troops in each of the previous days of March. Upon completion, the Queen takes the royal salute followed by the band’s “troop” musical. As the music plays, the Regimental Color browses. Once the display is finished, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh return to Buckingham Palace where, together with the royal family, they see the flying past as the troops return to their respective barracks.
Gather the colored ceremonies in other countries
Australia, a member of the Commonwealth realm, has been conducting this ceremony since 1956, normally during the Queen’s birthday party. Canada also conducts the ceremony largely on the Day of Remembrance or on Victory Day during the Queen’s birthday. Kenya remains the only African country that has a similar ceremony, although not for the queen’s birthday, but to celebrate the country’s independence and self-government. This country conducts the ceremony on December 12, Jamhuri Day. Malaysia also conducts the ceremony every first Saturday in June each year to celebrate the official birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
