06-11-2011, 08:38 AM
6/11/11
the Queen's official birthday, Trooping the Colours~~
A colourful history: The Queen has been trooping since 1947
• The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, first appeared mounted as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards in 1947, the first Birthday Parade to be held after the Second World War.
• In 1951, when King George VI fell ill, she deputised for him.
• During her reign, the Queen has attended every year except 1955, when it was cancelled because of the general strike.
• In 1981, a teenager fired six blank shots in the direction of the Queen as she made her way along the Mall. Her horse was startled, but the Queen regained control and carried on.
• After her horse Burmese was retired in 1986, the Queen decided that she would ride in a landau rather than train another horse.
• More than 1,300 soldiers will take part in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry.
• Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for when colours or flags were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so that it could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
• The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year is that of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
• The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21, when she turned 83.
• The curious decision to give monarchs two birthdays dates back to Edward VII who was born on November 9 but celebrated the anniversary in May and June as the weather was better during for outdoor events.
• Subsequent monarchs helpfully had birthdays at more convenient times of the year, but the Queen's father, King George VI, reintroduced the tradition which she has continued.
the Queen's official birthday, Trooping the Colours~~
A colourful history: The Queen has been trooping since 1947
• The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, first appeared mounted as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards in 1947, the first Birthday Parade to be held after the Second World War.
• In 1951, when King George VI fell ill, she deputised for him.
• During her reign, the Queen has attended every year except 1955, when it was cancelled because of the general strike.
• In 1981, a teenager fired six blank shots in the direction of the Queen as she made her way along the Mall. Her horse was startled, but the Queen regained control and carried on.
• After her horse Burmese was retired in 1986, the Queen decided that she would ride in a landau rather than train another horse.
• More than 1,300 soldiers will take part in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry.
• Trooping the Colour originated from traditional preparations for when colours or flags were carried, or "trooped", down the rank so that it could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.
• The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year is that of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
• The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21, when she turned 83.
• The curious decision to give monarchs two birthdays dates back to Edward VII who was born on November 9 but celebrated the anniversary in May and June as the weather was better during for outdoor events.
• Subsequent monarchs helpfully had birthdays at more convenient times of the year, but the Queen's father, King George VI, reintroduced the tradition which she has continued.