Sunday, June 12, 2011

Report on Trooping of the Colour For QEII 85th Birthday Celebration





Last Saturday was the official 85th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen actually turned 85 on April 21st, but it is always publicly celebrated on one of the first Saturdays in June, and this year it was on June 11th. 

We were taking our son & daughter-in-law back to the airport so I didn't post. We rode the Bainbridge Island Ferry over to Seattle, and kissed them goodbye as they took a taxi to SeaTac airport. We boarded the same ferry on a turn around sailing in the sunshine and back we went. Sigh...miss them already!

But...back to the Queen's birthday celebration. The Queen inspects the troops at Horseguards Parade in London after riding from Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II used to ride sidesaddle on a horse until a few years ago but for the last few years has been riding in one of her wonderful carriages. 

 

She looks quite happy, doesn't she?  This year her grandson Prince William, the newly named Duke Of Cambridge joined his father Prince Charles, great uncle the Duke Of Kent and his aunt Princess Anne, the Princess Royal on horseback accompanying the queen. The queen then stands on a platform and reviews the troops as they serenade her with a horseback brass ensemble and manuevers are done...every man spit and polished to perfection in honour of her birthday.



I included the photo below because it's the Coldstream Guards...my husband's old regiment, participating in the show for the queen. He said it was great fun but a bit stressy as everything was expected to be perfect.
 

The carriages which carried the Duchesses of Cambridge (Catherine wife of Prince William), Cornwall (Camilla, wife of Prince Charles) and Wessex (Sophie, wife of Prince Edward) as well as other members of the royal family back to Buckingham Palace for a photo op on the balcony with a fly over. My husband was particularly nostalgic at the colored smoke jet pass.




source of all photos: Oli Scarff via Getty Images

I must say the Queen looked very happy with her family and the crowds gathered to wish her well on her official birthday.
God save the Queen!!! And happy 85th Ma'am!

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