Queen celebrates her official birthday at Windsor Castle as she watches a ‘mini’ Trooping the Colour parade with the Duke of Kent
- For the second year, the military commemoration of the Queen’s official birthday is held in Windsor Castle
- The Duke of Kent, Colonel and Scots Guards, will join the head of state for the traditional ceremony
- The changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been stopped since March 2020
The Queen has arrived for the start of her official birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in the traditional Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
The Duke of Kent, the Queen’s cousin, joined her on a dais in the castle’s quadrangle in his role as Colonel of the Scots Guards.
The pandemic has meant for the second year in succession the military commemoration of the Queen’s official birthday is being staged in the quadrangle of her Berkshire home rather than in central London, but its scope has increased from last year.
Soldiers and musicians from the Massed Band of the Household Division marched onto the parade area at Windsor Castle ahead of the ceremony which allow the Guardsmen to show their precision marching skills while maintaining a social distance of just over two metres.
The senior military officer who planned the celebrations has said his aim is to create a ‘memorable and uplifting day’ for the monarch.
Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone and his team have been working for months to stage the event at Windsor Castle which has been dubbed a mini Trooping the Colour.
The Queen arrives at the Trooping of the Colour parade on Saturday at Windsor Castle in a scaled down version of the ceremony
Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone and his team have been working for months to stage the event at Windsor Castle which has been dubbed a mini Trooping the Colour
The Queen has arrived for the start of her official birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in the traditional Trooping of the Colour ceremony
Soldiers and musicians from the Massed Band of the Household Division marched onto the parade area at Windsor Castle ahead of the ceremony
The Kings’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery ride along the Long Walk today for the Trooping the Colour at Windsor Castle to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s official birthday
The Bands of the Household Division arrive in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle for the scaled back event due to the pandemic
The Guardsmen taking part have been supporting local communities and the NHS across the UK during the pandemic or been serving overseas on military operations.
The Duke of Kent, Colonel, Scots Guards, will join the head of state for the ceremony and F Company Scots Guards will Troop the Colour of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards through the ranks of guardsmen on parade.
Lt Col Stone was asked about planning the Queen’s official birthday celebrations: ‘It’s been extremely demanding; we’ve had to tackle Covid like everybody else, with some people needing to isolate and therefore not being able to be on parade.’
He explained there was the added issue of a lack of daily practice of ceremonial duties, as the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been stopped since March 2020 to avoid crowds gathering.
The Guardsmen taking part have been supporting local communities and the NHS across the UK during the pandemic or been serving overseas on military operations
The Duke of Kent, Colonel, Scots Guards, will join the head of state for the ceremony and F Company Scots Guards will Troop the Colour of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards through the ranks of guardsmen on parade
The pandemic has meant for the second year in succession the military commemoration of the Queen’s official birthday is being staged in the quadrangle of her Berkshire home
The senior officer added: ‘So from a skillset perspective it’s been very difficult to achieve what I hope will be a good standard because we’re not doing the Changing of the Guard ceremony every day due to the pandemic – that applies to horses, the musicians and the Guardsmen with their foot drill and rifle drill.
‘Last year we had 85 on parade, this year we’ve got 274, plus 70 horses, so we’re really excited about the event having grown and getting us back to normal for next year we hope.
‘It’s been very challenging, but we like a challenge. Covid has got a lot to answer for in so many ways, it’s made this difficult but what we want to do more than anything is give the Queen a memorable and uplifting day.’
Lt Col Stone, who serves with the Welsh Guards, is Brigade Major Household Division and was in overall charge of the military arrangements for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Members of the Household Cavalry make their way down the Long Walk towards Windsor Castle ahead of Saturday’s ceremony
Covid guidelines will be followed during the event which will incorporate many elements of the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade
He was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in recognition of his efforts.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘The parade will be led by the Foot Guards, who will be joined in the Quadrangle by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
‘Music will be played by a Massed Band of the Household Division, which will include 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipes and Drums.
‘Upon the Queen and the Duke of Kent’s arrival in the Quadrangle, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be greeted by a royal salute, and the National Anthem.
‘The parade will commence with the Musical Troop as the band plays. The Colour will then be trooped through the ranks, and the parade will conclude with a second royal salute.’
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