Queen Elizabeth Celebrates Her Official Birthday At Trooping The Colour

Jun 13, 2020 by apost team

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history who turned 94 this April, took part in a small Trooping the Colour ceremony at Windsor Castle this Saturday to officially celebrate her birthday. For over 260 years, Trooping the Colour has commemorated the official birthday of the British sovereign, though this year’s gathering was modified due to social distancing measures.

Normally, the ceremony features over 1,400 parading soldiers, 400 musicians, 200 horses, and many onlookers, according to The Royal Household’s official website. The parade, which usually starts from Buckingham Palace, even closes with a patriotic showing from the Royal Air Force. But due to the coronavirus outbreak, which can spread quickly in large gatherings, this year’s ceremony was marked by its relatively small scale in accordance with social distancing guidelines, according to The Telegraph. Garrison Sgt Maj Warrant Officer Class 1 Andrew Stokes was responsible for organizing the modified celebration.

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Social distancing measures at the event included having royal guardsmen standing around seven feet apart, which they measured using the garrison sergeant major's pace stick, Telegraph reports. In normal circumstances, the guardsmen would stand in a line, soldier-to-soldier.

Some are calling the ceremony a “mini-Trooping,” though the British Army’s prestigious Household Division was in attendance along with the lady of honor, the 94-year-old Queen. In her first official public appearance since the country’s nationwide lockdown was imposed back in March, the Queen kicked the ceremony off at Windsor Castle’s Quadrangle by taking her place at the dais. Shortly thereafter, Telegraph reports that the servicemen and women in attendance gave their royal salute and the national anthem began to play.

The Queen wore a turquoise coat and matching hat, which Daily Mail reports she wore for the first time for the State Opening of Parliament in December 2019. Reporters at the Mail further explained that users on social media have been speculating about the monarch’s wardrobe choice. Some argue that the colors represent the conservative party whereas others said that the choice might be associated with the Brexit party.

Lance Corporal Chusa Siwale, who played a key role in Saturday’s modified ceremony, told Telegraph that the chance to participate in the birthday celebration was a “huge privilege.” He went on to tell reporters: "Only four weeks ago I was involved with testing key workers for Covid-19 as part of the Welsh Guards' contribution to the battle against the virus; now I am on parade performing in front of Her Majesty." "This is a very proud day for me," he added.

This Saturday’s Trooping the Color marks the first time that the monarch has celebrated her birthday at Windsor Castle, the BBC reports. Moreover, an event celebrating the Queen’s birthday hasn’t taken place there since the reign of Queen Victoria in the late 19th century.

You can watch the entire ceremony below:

Happy birthday, Queen Elizabeth! What do you think about the modified Trooping the Colour ceremony? Have you ever watched the event? Let us know and wish the Queen a happy birthday by passing this story on.