Queen Elizabeth's Annual Birthday Celebration Will Be Scaled-Down
Once again, Queen Elizabeth's public birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour, will be scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news in a statement in March, which read:
"Following consultation with Government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that The Queen’s Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London. Options for an alternative Parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered."
The statement also confirmed that the annual Garter service, which usually takes place in June, "will not take place this year."
Today, Buckingham Palace announced all the plans for this small event, which will look similar to last year's celebration. One notable difference is that, after Prince Philip's passing, the Queen will be accompanied by her cousin, the Duke of Kent.
The rundown of events will go as follows:
The parade will be held by the Household Division, and The Queen’s Colour of F Company Scots Guards will be trooped. His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Colonel, Scots Guards, will accompany The Queen.
The parade will be led by the Foot Guards, who will be joined in the Quadrangle by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Music will be played by a Massed Band of the Household Division, which will include 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipes and Drums.
Upon The Queen and The Duke of Kent’s arrival in the Quadrangle, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be greeted by a Royal Salute, and the National Anthem. The parade will commence with the Musical Troop as the Band plays. The Colour will then be trooped through the ranks, and the parade will conclude with a second Royal Salute.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will then fire a 41 Gun Royal Salute, to mark Her Majesty’s Official Birthday, from the East Lawn at Windsor Castle.
The Queen's actual birthday is in April, but Trooping the Colour is her "official," public celebration. The tradition of monarchs celebrating their birthday twice dates all the way back to King George II in 1748, who combined an 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.
The annual event is traditionally marked with large crowds lining the streets of London, a military demonstration, carriage procession, and finally, it ends with the entire extended royal family up on the Buckingham Palace balcony. However, according to Buckingham Palace this year's event will be "conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines."
The Queen also added a special touch to the celebrations. This year, the parade will be "formed by soldiers who have played an integral role in the NHS’ COVID-19 response, as well as those who have been serving on military operations overseas."
Buckingham Palace is asking members of the public to forgo attending the event in person, as to avoid the creation of crowds. However, the parade will be broadcast live on BBC One. The Queen and Duke of Kent are set to arrive at the Quadrangle around 11am and the parade will end by 11:35am BST.
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