Queen Elizabeth officially marks 81st Birthday
via Associated Press
Soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats marched in formation Saturday - a showcase of Britain’s best pomp and pageantry to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.
She actually turned 81 on April 21. But one of the many perks of wearing the crown is a second, official birthday, marked with the annual Trooping the Color parade.
The monarch wore a bright green coat and hat to inspect the troops gathered in her honour in central London. Dignitaries in attendance included former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.
The parade is a full-on display of British pageantry, with more than 1,100 soldiers marching down the Mall the wide, leafy boulevard that runs from Buckingham Palace toward Trafalgar Square in full regalia.
The Queen herself used to ride on horseback in the parade, but since 1986, the year her horse retired, she has chosen to ride in a carriage with her husband, Prince Philip.
Each year, a regiment is chosen to present its colour, or flag, to the monarch. This year, the regiment was the Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards.
The Queen took the salute and inspect the troops on Horse Guards Parade, and then the Royal Family returned to Buckingham Palace, and gathered on the building’s famous balcony for a flypast of military aircraft.
The Queen was joined there by many of her family members, including Prince William who was in military uniform and princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, stood between her stepson Prince William and her husband, Prince Charles. Prince Harry did not attend the annual event, as he is training with his army unit in Alberta.
The event which began as traditional military preparations is now a huge draw for tourists, with thousands lining the parade route to catch a glimpse of Britain’s royals.
At the very least we know at least part of the story that has...
June 17th, 2007 16:37
I just love the fact that Britain hold this parade every year honoring Her Majesty’s birthday. It’s beautiful, colorful and very grand. It’s a shame that we don’t hold a parade for our President’s. I guess there is just too much politics involved. But I just wish they would broadcast the parade over here in America. I would love to see such a event for a person who truly deserves it.