Posted on 06/12/2004 11:09:34 AM PDT by tjwmason
Thousands of people lined central London's streets for the annual Trooping the Colour to mark the Queen's official 78th birthday.
The Queen and Prince Philip travelled along The Mall in a carriage before inspecting the troops of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.
Tight security surrounded the ceremony with guests at the inspection passing through metal detectors.
Police on foot and horseback also patrolled the surrounding streets.
Lengthy queues formed at Horse Guards Parade as guests passed through a three-stage security check point.
The crowds cheered and ran along the parade route to catch sight of the Queen, dressed in a yellow dress with pale green trim and matching hat, and other Royals.
The Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra were carried on the first two carriages of the procession.
Princess Anne, on horseback, followed the Queen's carriage down the Mall, from Buckingham Palace.
History made
The Queen then took the salute and reviewed the troop as the Colours - a regimental flag of the Grenadier Guards - was paraded in a ceremony dating back to 1748.
After the ceremony the Queen and other members of the Royal Family greeted the flag-waving crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace and watched the RAF fly past.
Captain Ben Sempala-Ntege, 27, made history by becoming the first black officer to take command of an elite horse unit at the event.
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April but it is customary for her to take part in the public celebrations during the summer months.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
See also the Ministry of Defence web-site http://www.army.mod.uk/ceremonialandheritage/household/trooping.htm
I'm pretty sure that I saw the battle honour of 'Gulf' on the colour being trooped, which implies that the regiment was involved in Desert Storm. These are not just for show, they are real soldiers in Her Majesty's forces.
We lived in the Caymans for a few years in late 90's. Every year on the Queen's birthday, everybody on the island is invited to the Governor's house. Open bar, lots of free food, "hot as you know where" and the humidity was unbearable (you had to dress respectively to attend), but it was great fun and when the Queen's birthday rolls around, I always remember those times.
Happy Official Birthday, Your Majesty!
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