15 June 2002: The Queen officiates at Trooping the Colour

The Queen's official birthday was celebrated in traditional style in Jubilee year with the annual ceremony of Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade. Trooping the Colour on Saturday 15 June were the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.

The Queen travelled in procession from Buckingham Palace with a Sovereign's Escort at 10.40am. The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal and The Duke of Kent rode in uniform alongside The Queen's phaeton. The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke of Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra and Princess Eugenie travelled in carriages in advance of the procession.

On arrival at Horse Guards Parade, The Queen was greeted by the customary Royal salute. Her Majesty proceeded to carry out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands performed a musical 'troop', the escorted regimental colour of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards was carried down the ranks. Each of the five Foot Guard regiments - Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh - takes it in turns to provide a battalion for the ceremony each year.

The Guards and the Household Cavalry then marched past The Queen, and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, ranked past.

After the trooping had been completed, The Queen travelled back to Buckingham Palace in her coach at the head of her Guards. Taking up her position in the centre gateway, Her Majesty stood on a dais to take the salute. Members of the Royal Family appeared on the balcony to watch the march-past.

A 41-gun royal salute was fired by The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park at 12.52pm, just before The Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. A few minutes later, at 1pm, a 62-gun royal salute was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London.

The Trooping the Colour ceremony dates back to the early 18th century or earlier, when the 'colours' (flags) of the battalion were carried (or 'trooped') down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign's official birthday.

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