The queen’s annual birthday parade, the Trooping the Colour, is coming up quickly. And this year’s event is extra special, as it’s one of the opening events of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a several-day celebration of Elizabeth II’s record-breaking reign. Here’s what you need to know about the annual royal event, from the history to how you can watch the whole thing go down.The historyThe tradition dates all the way back to King George II, who in 1748 combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration—even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of having an official birthday in the summertime. So what does “trooping the colour” mean, exactly?Back in the 1700s, the various regiments would show off their flags, so all the troops would recognize their banners during battle. Hence, “trooping” the “colour.”It’s why the queen has two birthdaysIt’s basically every child’s dream come true. On April 21, the actual day of her birth, Elizabeth II celebrates privately, but on June 2 she will mark her “official” birthday publicly with a parade. It all comes down to the weather. Summer is the only time for a proper parade. The paradeDuring the parade, the Queen will inspect her troops. For years, she did this on horseback, but since 1987, she has attended in a carriage. According to the Telegraph, the annual event features not only 1,500 officers and men, but also 244 horses. For a cool 360-degree video of the pageantry a few years ago, watch the below: The balcony appearanceA key part of the Trooping the Colour tradition is the royal family’s balcony appearance. While the royal family does from time to time assemble on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for reasons other than the birthday parade, Trooping the Color is the only guaranteed annual appearance, and typically the one with the largest group.Invitees typically include descendants of the Queen, her sister and her cousins, plus their spouses. The group often tips the 30+ mark, and for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, there were over 40 family members gathered.But this year, only working members of the royal family, and their children will appear on the balcony, meaning the Sussexes and Prince Andrew will be excluded.
The queen’s annual birthday parade, the Trooping the Colour, is coming up quickly. And this year’s event is extra special, as it’s one of the opening events of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a several-day celebration of Elizabeth II’s record-breaking reign. Here’s what you need to know about the annual royal event, from the history to how you can watch the whole thing go down.
The history
The tradition dates all the way back to King George II, who in 1748 combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration—even though he was born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of having an official birthday in the summertime.
So what does “trooping the colour” mean, exactly?
Back in the 1700s, the various regiments would show off their flags, so all the troops would recognize their banners during battle. Hence, “trooping” the “colour.”
It’s why the queen has two birthdays
It’s basically every child’s dream come true. On April 21, the actual day of her birth, Elizabeth II celebrates privately, but on June 2 she will mark her “official” birthday publicly with a parade.
It all comes down to the weather. Summer is the only time for a proper parade.
The parade
During the parade, the Queen will inspect her troops. For years, she did this on horseback, but since 1987, she has attended in a carriage.
According to the Telegraph, the annual event features not only 1,500 officers and men, but also 244 horses.
For a cool 360-degree video of the pageantry a few years ago, watch the below:
The balcony appearance
A key part of the Trooping the Colour tradition is the royal family’s balcony appearance. While the royal family does from time to time assemble on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for reasons other than the birthday parade, Trooping the Color is the only guaranteed annual appearance, and typically the one with the largest group.
Invitees typically include descendants of the Queen, her sister and her cousins, plus their spouses. The group often tips the 30+ mark, and for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, there were over 40 family members gathered.
But this year, only working members of the royal family, and their children will appear on the balcony, meaning the Sussexes and Prince Andrew will be excluded.