Trooping the colour - live: Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her ‘official’ birthday with a parade
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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.
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 the annual ceremony in 1972, explaining the details of the event to her youngest son, Prince Edward.
The royal family, including the late Princess Diana and Duke of Edinburgh, watch the flypast at 1985 Trooping the Colour.
The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace by open coach to travel to the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1999.
Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh watch a fly-over from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2004.
The Queen is joined by Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the 2018 Trooping the Colour.
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”.
Senior military officer who planned Trooping the Colour wants Queen to have a ‘memorable and uplifting day’
This year’s Trooping the Colour will take place at Windsor Castle
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.
The Royal Air Force Red Arrows perform a flypast
The Queen was all smiles as the Red Arrows flypast concluded her birthday parade.
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.
The National Anthem is being performed
The Band of the Scots Guards performs the National Anthem.
First look at the ceremony
The Queen has arrived
The Queen has arrived, accompanied by the Duke of Kent.
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.
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.
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