The Monarchy Today > Ceremony and symbol > Ceremonies

The next Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on 13 June 2008.

The processions can be seen from the Mall. Events begin at approximately 10am, with the fly-past at 1pm.

The parade is also broadcast live on the BBC in the UK.

Tickets for seated stands around Horse Guards Parade are allocated by ballot in March. Applications should be made in January or February only to:
Brigade Major
HQ Household Division
Horse Guards
Whitehall
London SW1A 2AX.

During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops.

After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted regimental colour is carried down the ranks.

The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past The Queen, and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past.

The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks.

The Queen then joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.

The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event.


	Trooping the Colour is carried out by operational troops from the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall © Press Association TROOPING THE COLOUR The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on a Saturday in June. Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely. Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public. This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth 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. From the reign of Edward VII onwards, the Sovereign has taken the salute in person at Trooping the Colour.
	The next Trooping the Colour ceremony will take place on 13 June 2008. The processions can be seen from the Mall. Events begin at approximately 10am, with the fly-past at 1pm. The parade is also broadcast live on the BBC in the UK. Tickets for seated stands around Horse Guards Parade are allocated by ballot in March. Applications should be made in January or February only to: Brigade Major HQ Household Division Horse Guards Whitehall London SW1A 2AX. During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted regimental colour is carried down the ranks. The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past The Queen, and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past. The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks. The Queen then joins other members of the Royal Family on the balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event. Queen and Armed Forces The Queen's role as Head of the UK Armed Services SUGGESTED LINKS British Army Visit Britain