Trooping the colour - live: Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her ‘official’ birthday with a parade

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Queen Elizabeth II smiles during the G7 Summit on June 11, 2021 (Getty Images)

The Queen is celebrating her “official” birthday with a military parade at Windsor Castle.

This year’s Trooping the Colour will depart from tradition, as the annual ceremony is usually held on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace.

In keeping with coronavirus restrictions, the number of military personnel taking part in the birthday parade will be scaled back.

Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent, will join her for the celebration in place of her late husband, Prince Philip.

The duke has previously accompanied the Queen during the parade in 2013 when Philip was unable to attend because he was recovering from surgery.

Key Points

• Household Division assembles in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle
• The Band of the Scots Guards plays three pieces of music before the Queen arrives
• The Queen has arrived
• The Royal Air Force Red Arrows perform a flypast
• The Queen in all her glory: Pictures of the past and present

[12 June 2021 12:53 · Saman Javed]

The Queen in all her glory: Pictures of the past and present

As this year’s Trooping the Colour comes to an end, we take a look back at some of our favourite photographs of the Queen from past events.

The Queen holds Prince Andrew, Duke of York on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the 1961 parade.

Mother and son on the balcony of the palace (CENTRAL PRESS/AFP via Getty Imag)

The Queen rides her horse, Burmese, as she makes her way from Buckingham Palace along the Mall during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1971.

The Queen at Trooping the Colour in 1971 (Getty Images)

The Queen at the annual ceremony in 1972, explaining the details of the event to her youngest son, Prince Edward.

The Queen and Prince Edward (PA)

The royal family, including the late Princess Diana and Duke of Edinburgh, watch the flypast at 1985 Trooping the Colour.

The royal family in 1985 (PA)

The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace by open coach to travel to the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1999.

Trooping the Colour, 1999 (AFP via Getty Images)

Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh watch a fly-over from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2004.

Trooping the Colour, 2004 (Getty Images)

The Queen is joined by Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the 2018 Trooping the Colour.

Trooping the Colour, 2018 (Getty Images)

[12 June 2021 12:10 · Saman Javed]

Military officer who planned Trooping the Colour wanted to make it an “uplifting” day

Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, who was in charge of staging the event, said planning was “very difficult” due to the ongoing pandemic but he wanted to give the Queen a “memorable and uplifting day”.

[12 June 2021 11:50 · Saman Javed]

Social media users are sharing their favourite moments from past Trooping the Colour ceremonies

Users have taken to Twitter to share their favourite moments from past Trooping the Colour ceremonies, including when the Queen rode in the parade herself.

[12 June 2021 11:42 · Saman Javed]

The Royal Air Force Red Arrows perform a flypast

The Queen was all smiles as the Red Arrows flypast concluded her birthday parade.

The Queen smiles as she watches the fly past (Getty Images)

[12 June 2021 11:26 · Saman Javed]

Ministry of Defence sends well wishes to the Queen

The UK Ministry of Defence has sent “best wishes” to the Queen on her official birthday.

[12 June 2021 11:19 · Saman Javed]

The National Anthem is being performed

The Band of the Scots Guards performs the National Anthem.

[12 June 2021 11:07 · Saman Javed]

First look at the ceremony

The Massed Band of the Household Division as they marched into the quadrangle earlier today (Getty Images)

[12 June 2021 11:03 · Saman Javed]

The Queen has arrived

The Queen has arrived, accompanied by the Duke of Kent.

The Queen and the Duke of Kent (AP)

She wears an all-grey ensemble, embroidered with yellow flowers and carries her signature black handbag.

The Duke of Kent, who is the Colonel of the Scots Guard is wearing his full uniform for the occasion.

[12 June 2021 11:00 · Saman Javed]

The Band of the Scots Guards plays three pieces of music before the Queen arrives

The Band of the Scots Guards is playing three pieces of music before the Queen arrives; Scottish Emblem by Major Archie Ellis, Belle Mere’s Waltz by Phil Cunningham and The Aberdonian by various composers.

[12 June 2021 10:51 · Saman Javed]

The Major Generals arrive

The Major Generals party have arrived and taken their palace around the saluting base.