Trooping the Colour June 17th 2023

'Come on Louis git's tine to go!!!!'

Trooping the Colour.

This year was the King's first Birthday Parade.

The crowds for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee parade had been huge (6 deep very early on) so I left home a little bit earlier to get into London.

Walking from Green Park (the nearest Underground station to the Palace) there were enough spaces so found a lovely place to stand not far fromnthe King George VI / Queen Mother statues.

Its amazing how quickly time does pass!!

The street-liners came into position early on. 

It must have been hard for them in the heavy scarlet tunics and bearskins. Their offciers kept a close eye on them by checking routinely on them and giving them water.

At 10.42am, the carriages bearing the royal family depart Buckingham Palace to watch the parade on Horse Guards. 

I tried explaining to tourists stood by us what was happening but they seemed to miss things a lot!

This year also saw a change in the carriages. 

Only two set off from the Palace; In the first was HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie) & Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and in the second, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester,

Following in a car was HRH The Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards)

A few minutes later, the King's Procession began.

Ahead of it was King Charles III riding his new mount, NOBLE, a gift from the Canadian Mounted Police. 

Noble was to say the least a handful at times. 

The King controlled him well, but his horse had other ideas!

Behind the King, were the other Royal Colonels.

The King is the Colonel in Chief of the Regiments of the Household Division

The Prince of Wales is Colonel in Chief of the Welsh Guards

The Princess Royal is Colonel of the Blues and Royals

The Duke of Edinburgh (Edward) rode for the first time as Colonel of the London Guiards.

Behind them, in an Ascot Landau were two other royal colonels.

The Queen as Colonel in Chief of the Grenadier Guards

and the Princess of Wales as Colonel in Chief of the Irish Guards.

Seated opposite them her children Prince's George and Louis & Princess Charlotte.

We do Pomp and Pageantry well in this country! And the stirring sounds of brass instruments expertly played was wonderful to hear.

Precisely at 11am the royal party enter Horse Guards.

The event this year was balloted, so you can apply for tickets if you wish. 

Also the whole parade passes down The Mall so wherever you are its a great view,

First to return past are the King's Horse Troop Royal Artillery (they kept the title in the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth (in memory of her father) They were on their way to perform a Gun Salute at Green Park.

Then the 2 carriages and car bearing the royal family returned ahead of the Sovereign's procession.

Afterwards (after the famous pooper scooper vans have cleared up!) the crowds are allowed onto The Mall. 

As usual those on Horse Guards are given priority. 

First to be led down are the children given a special place to watch the parade,  then the ticketholders. 

This year there were delays opening the gates, at one point a mini rebellion was beginning with chants of 'Open the Gates!!'

Anyway, they did.................!!!

I started off running then after a minute realised I could not anymore so walked, how I did who knows, but I found myself with a wonderful view of the balcony.

For the Coronation the flypast had been scaled back due to poor weather. Today, in glorious sunshine, a few more planes had been added to the flypast planned for the King.

At 1pm, the dfors to the Buckingham Palace balcony opened and our King and Queen walked out to massive cheers. 

Shortly followed by the working members of the royal family and their families.

 This is the new norm. 

The balcony used to be filled with extended family. (Some of whom out of sight watched from the Palace Quadrangle)

Huge cheers went up when the first planes went over. The Kngs grand-children excitedly pointing them out! Prince Louis particularly excited!

Then, as a surprise to everyone, even the King, a formation of tornadoes in C R (Charles Rex) came into view. The Duchess of Edinburgh could be seen mouthing 'so close' It was such a tight formation of planes!

The flypast ended with the RAF Red Arrows (my favourites!)

Prince Louis even saluted!

The band below played God Save the King which the crowd heartily sang along to.

What a day!

God Save the King!!