Similarly to 2020, Trooping the Colour, the annual parade to mark the Queen’s official birthday, took place in 2021 under unusual circumstances, with a covid-secure event. This year, Trooping the Colour took place at Windsor Castle, as it did in 2020, instead of the usual Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, London. The Queen has been based at Windsor Castle throughout lockdown, so it made sense to hold the event there, a place which has become synonymous with the monarchy during lockdown. It was at Windsor that the Queen knighted Sir Captain Tom Moore, who became a covid national hero, and also where the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh took place. The Queen has broadcast her messages to the nation and commonwealth to encourage them during covid, and to mark occasions such as VE Day and Christmas, from Windsor Castle. The quadrangle where the actual parade took place, is secluded away from the public, thus avoiding the issue of drawing big crowds that would be difficult to manage with social distancing rules.
Trooping the Colour is a military parade, involving the Household Cavalry, the Scots Guards (whose colour was trooped this year) and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The RAF flypast of the red arrows also took place. The Queen attended the parade in a lovely outfit in mauve and yellow by Angela Kelly, her dresser. I thought the Queen looked particularly lovely in the ensemble. Walking unaided, the Queen watched the parade from a covered dais, and took the salute. The Queen was seen smiling, her eyes lighting up, and I thought she looked just like photos and video footage of her as a young woman. Her Majesty was also seen tapping her feet along to the music. The Queen knows every inch and aspect of the parade having attended so many, and takes her role as head of the armed forces very seriously.
This year, the Duke of Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards whose turn it was to troop their colour this year accompanied Her Majesty the Queen. His Royal Highness is the Queen’s first cousin, and often attends the Trooping of the Colour. He is 85 years old. This is the first parade that has taken place since the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. I think it was touching that the Queen had her cousin, who is of her generation, with her today, and was fitting as the Duke is Colonel of the Scots Guards. The Queen has carried on since the death of her husband with resilience, stamina, and determination. Indeed, we have seen her energy during zoom calls and engagements. For example, the day before Trooping the Colour, the Queen, with other members of the royal family visited Cornwall for a reception to mark the G7 summit. The Queen also visited the Eden Project to thank the organisation, The Big Lunch, for all they do to bring communities together, and to mark the role they will play in 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Tomorrow she meets President Joe Biden of the USA in an official capacity.
The Trooping the Colour parade marked the Queen’s 95th birthday. The colour is the flag, which traditionally would be paraded in battle as a rallying point for the troops of that regiment. Today’s parade has evolved from that. The parade takes place in June, instead of the Queen’s actual birthday in April, in the hopes for better weather, which this year came into being with sunshine! The colour, or flag, itself contains the names of the battles which that particular regiment has fought in, and the number of Victoria Crosses which that regiment has received.
Next year will hopefully see the return of the full scale event. A ceremony is being planned to be part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. We will of course keep you updated about that!
How lovely this year of all years to see the Trooping the Colour taking place. How lovely to see the Queen’s smile, sense of enjoyment, and stalwart sense of duty. The Queen is an example to us all of how to carry on during and after difficult times.