THE Trooping the Colour parade traditionally celebrates the Queen’s official – but not actual – birthday and in 2022 will mark the start of her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
But what is it exactly and why does the Queen have two birthdays?
What is Trooping the Colour?
Trooping the Colour is an annual event that dates back to Charles II in the 17th century when regiment colours trooped in front of soldiers so they could recognise their unit in battle.
The Queen has taken the salute almost every year since her coronation in 1953.
The only exception to this was in 1955 when it was cancelled due to a national rail strike.
At the start of it, the Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and the National Anthem.
The parade then commences and concludes with a second Royal salute.
Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family gather on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.
Why do the Royal Family attend the Trooping of the Colour?
The appearance of the Royal family on the Palace balcony has become an anticipated event in the royal calendar.
The first recorded royal balcony appearance was made by Queen Victoria in 1851, during the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition.
And it’s since become an established tradition and a rare opportunity to see the Royal Family together in once place.
In previous years, invitees included descendants of the monarch, her sister and cousins, as well as their spouses.
For the Queen’s 90th birthday, over 40 family members were present.
However, the number will be considerably reduced in 2022.
In may it was confirmed the Queen had decided to break royal tradition, and that only working royals would appear on the balcony for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The change means among others Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Prince Andrew will not be there.
Why does The Queen have two birthdays?
The Queen traditionally has two birthdays, her actual birthday on April 21 and an official birthday marked every summer by the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Her real birthday is in April, though the “official” celebration takes place in June.
She originally marked her birthday on the second Thursday in June, but the date was changed to the second Saturday in June in 1959.
The reason this odd tradition began is typically British: namely, the UK’s temperamental weather.
It was started by George II back in 1748 – because the weather was too bad to hold his Birthday Parade on the actual date in November.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/royal/drivers-warned-they-could-be-fined-2500-for-celebrating-the-queens-jubilee-make-sure-you-dont-get-caught-out/
