The Queen’s Official Birthday in Britain was marked with sombreness on Saturday, 17 June 2017, despite the traditional pomp and pageantry in London with Trooping the Colour.
Earlier that day, the Queen had issued a message reflecting the sombre national mood as the United Kingdom had “witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies”.
Crowds lined the streets as the parade moved from Buckingham Palace, down the Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, including the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cornwall, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, in carriages.
Prince Charles, the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Anne rode on horseback in this year’s parade.This year Prince Philip opted for a morning suit with a top hat this year, rather than full uniform with the big black bearskin hat. He wore a Household Division tie, Garter Star and medals.
A minute’s silence was observed by the Queen at the Trooping the Colour parade after her arrival Horse Guard’s Parade, to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Queen carried out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.
Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians participate in a magnificent display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark the Queen’s official birthday.
The escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, is passed down the ranks so they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers in a ceremony dating back to the 18th Century by guards at royal palaces.
The Trooping the Colour was first performed during Charles II’s reign during the 17th Century. However, it wasn’t until 1748 when an announcement was made that the parade would mark the official birthday of the monarch.
it became an annual event after George III became King in 1760.
The Queen rides back to Buckingham Palace as the head of the soldiers before taking another salute at the Palace from a dais.
She is then joined by other members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace Balcony to watch the Royal Air Force fly-past.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were seen peeking through a window, before they joined their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the Balcony to see the RAF Fly Past.
The ceremony is broadcasted live by the BBC.
A 41-gun salute is also fired in Green Park nearby to mark the occasion.
The Queen turned 91 on her actual birthday on 21 April.
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