:00:16. > :00:20.of the Royal Family gathered in this room to watch the first big military
:00:20. > :00:26.parade of the Queen's brain. It's not just the good vantage point,
:00:26. > :00:29.it's also a place steeped in history, as the office once occupied
:00:29. > :00:33.by the Duke of Wellington. The family will be back here today,
:00:33. > :00:37.following events from this window, as they enjoy the ceremony of
:00:37. > :00:47.Trooping the Colour, to mark the Queen's official birthday on Horse
:00:47. > :01:13.
:01:13. > :01:17.Guards Parade. That first parade took place just nine days after the
:01:17. > :01:22.coronation. It was the first official engagement for the new
:01:22. > :01:27.queen. 60 years on, the Birthday Parade will feature some rousing
:01:27. > :01:30.Welsh tunes, as the Prince of Wales Company 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
:01:30. > :01:34.provide the Escort and play a very prominent part in today's ceremony.
:01:34. > :01:38.This time last year at these soldiers were deployed in
:01:38. > :01:43.Afghanistan, which reminds everyone watching that they combine the
:01:43. > :01:47.ceremonial duties with life on the frontline. Since last year 's
:01:48. > :01:52.parade, 25 members of the armed forces have lost their lives serving
:01:52. > :02:02.in Afghanistan. Five of them from the Household Division, three
:02:02. > :02:07.
:02:07. > :02:11.Grenadier Guards, two Welsh Here, too, heads of the Armed
:02:11. > :02:14.Forces, Sir Peter Wall and Sir David Richards among them, along with
:02:14. > :02:20.representatives of many foreign nations, including the Commonwealth
:02:20. > :02:27.member states. The Mall is lined with Union Flags to celebrate the
:02:28. > :02:32.Queen's official birthday. There are 200 soldiers lining the route will
:02:32. > :02:38.stop there are poignant reminders for the Queen of the loss of her
:02:38. > :02:41.father, King George VI, at such a young age, and her late mother. At
:02:41. > :02:46.Buckingham Palace, the Sovereign's Escort and the Mounted Bands are
:02:46. > :02:50.awaiting to accompany the Queen and other members of the Royal Family to
:02:51. > :03:00.Horse Guards Parade. Not long to go until the processions get under way.
:03:00. > :03:07.It's a very good morning to Clare Balding.
:03:07. > :03:13.Big T is with me now. What is your responsibility today?
:03:13. > :03:17.responsibility is sorting out the dais. Her Majesty 's standard, when
:03:17. > :03:24.Her Majesty comes on parade, I will pull the cord, three little
:03:24. > :03:29.stitchers will pop and it will spring out. And this is your last
:03:29. > :03:34.ever Queen's Birthday Parade. retiring. I'm a bit emotional, but
:03:34. > :03:44.my family and friends have come down to see me. We hope it goes
:03:44. > :03:49.perfectly. My special guest knows everything
:03:49. > :03:54.there is to know about the parade. Formally Major General commanding
:03:54. > :03:59.the Household Division. Last on parade in that capacity in 2007. He
:03:59. > :04:06.is Major General Sir Sebastian Roberts. It's a great pleasure to
:04:06. > :04:14.have you with us. Good morning.What are you looking forward to? That
:04:14. > :04:19.ancient tradition of tradition and modern professionalism. The soldiers
:04:20. > :04:24.achieved the remarkable standards in their ceremonial duties. All coming
:04:24. > :04:31.together in this world famous celebration of our Queen's official
:04:31. > :04:36.birthday. The last time the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards trooped their
:04:36. > :04:42.colour was in 2008. Since then, they've deployed to Afghanistan.
:04:42. > :04:47.We've been speaking to some of them about their recent tour.
:04:47. > :04:57.soldiers need to be adaptable. For Guardsmen, that adaptability is very
:04:57. > :04:58.
:04:58. > :05:04.stark. We go from wearing, combat clothing into scarlet very readily.
:05:04. > :05:08.On our most recent tour of Afghanistan, the majority of the
:05:08. > :05:15.Battalion formed the Police Mentoring Advisory Group. It was
:05:15. > :05:22.their task to train and advise the police, from basic training all the
:05:22. > :05:27.way going into operations alongside them. We'd get up at dawn and then
:05:27. > :05:34.set off to our patrol base. When we got there, we'd go into our security
:05:34. > :05:38.measures. We would then build a rapport with the police. The first
:05:38. > :05:44.time was quite hard because you got the language barrier. It's trying to
:05:44. > :05:49.understand people from a different culture. After a while, they are
:05:49. > :05:58.pretty much the same as you. You do bond. Look for the rise and fall of
:05:58. > :06:03.his chest. On one of these routine patrols we went to the checkpoint,
:06:03. > :06:10.as we always did. Unfortunately, two of my guys were shot dead by a rogue
:06:10. > :06:13.Afghan policeman, who was completely unknown to the checkpoint.
:06:13. > :06:16.situation was the worst nightmare. He had casualties and a volatile
:06:16. > :06:22.situation, which was threatening his mission. He was only six weeks into
:06:22. > :06:31.it. We were back out very soon after the incident occurred. Two weeks
:06:31. > :06:37.following this, I myself became a casualty from a gunshot wound.
:06:37. > :06:45.essence of good leadership is you can rise above that sort of chaos.
:06:45. > :06:49.That is exactly what Ben did. For that, he was very deservedly awarded
:06:49. > :06:57.the Queen 's commendation. Queen's Birthday Parade has served
:06:57. > :06:59.as a recovery vehicle for me. Me being on parade today is a tribute.
:06:59. > :07:05.It's a very sincere form of flattery. When people can't quite
:07:05. > :07:10.believe the standards of ceremonial drill that we provide in London are
:07:10. > :07:15.done by hard, fighting men who'd been at the tip of a spear, and
:07:15. > :07:18.we're very proud to have with us. The men of the 1st Battalion Welsh
:07:18. > :07:24.Guards sharing their frontline experiences. Ben Bardsley, who will
:07:24. > :07:27.be falling in with all the other officers shortly, has made a
:07:28. > :07:31.remarkable recovery from those life-threatening injuries. He can be
:07:31. > :07:39.forgiven if he is a little distracted today. He's getting
:07:39. > :07:43.married to his fiancee in a weeks time. We wish them both well. The
:07:43. > :07:48.Escort provided by Prince of Wales Company 1st Battalion Welsh Guards,
:07:48. > :07:52.1st Battalion also providing the mental number to guard and No.3
:07:52. > :08:00.Guard, which means there is a very prominent Welsh presence on
:08:00. > :08:05.horseguards this year. Next to them, No.5 Guard, provided by F Company
:08:05. > :08:10.Scots Guards. Earlier this year, they were providing the street
:08:10. > :08:15.liners for Baroness Thatcher's funeral. No.4 Guard provided by
:08:15. > :08:20.Nijmegen Company. Later this month, the Queen will present new colours
:08:20. > :08:25.to the company at Buckingham Palace. 1st Battalion Irish Guards
:08:25. > :08:32.started their six-month deployment to Afghanistan in April, but there
:08:32. > :08:34.is a strong Irish presence in the massed bands on parade today. A
:08:34. > :08:38.successful Birthday Parade depends on hundreds of men and women setting
:08:38. > :08:44.the highest standards of precision and drill. The man in charge as
:08:44. > :08:49.Lieutenant Colonel Dino Bosi. This must be an incredibly proud date.
:08:49. > :08:53.Yes, but a little bit nerve wracking. We really hope we will be
:08:53. > :08:58.able to live up to the high standards that our predecessors have
:08:58. > :09:04.set. It about teamwork, but it's about you and your steed. This is
:09:04. > :09:11.Winston. What sort of a relationship party built up? I've been riding him
:09:12. > :09:15.since January. He's a real old stager. His 22, but he hasn't done a
:09:15. > :09:21.parade before. This is a new experience for both of us. Is quite
:09:21. > :09:27.elderly, isn't he? He is. He's 22. Other than counting teeth, we are
:09:27. > :09:31.not quite sure when his birthday is. He is immensely calm. He is, but
:09:31. > :09:35.he's also quite frisky. He will bounce along with the band quite
:09:35. > :09:41.happily. He seems to really enjoy the music. I look forward to seeing
:09:41. > :09:45.you together. I know that you and your men have been extremely busy.
:09:45. > :09:49.For those based in London, one of the jobs has been to provide the
:09:49. > :09:59.Queen 's guard. We have sent a camera behind the scenes to find out
:09:59. > :10:04.
:10:04. > :10:08.parade. The Standard that is required for us on that parade is
:10:08. > :10:15.nothing short of excellence. Drill is very much our bread and butter
:10:15. > :10:21.while we are in London. The routine helps that. When the guys do the
:10:21. > :10:27.Queen 's guard now, that's all about getting experience for the big match
:10:27. > :10:33.and working together as a team. When they step out the gates to walk up
:10:33. > :10:37.to the forecourt, the crowds are building up and its six to ten deep
:10:37. > :10:43.down The Mall. It doesn't faze the guys. There's an opportunity for
:10:43. > :10:50.guys to take their bearskins off, change their clothing and have
:10:50. > :10:54.something to eat before they go back out into the sentry boxes. It is
:10:54. > :10:59.quite nerve wracking when you look out and there are a couple of
:10:59. > :11:05.hundred people watching you. Different faces, glaring at you,
:11:05. > :11:10.wondering when you are going to move. Concentration is the hardest
:11:10. > :11:15.thing. You focus on your job and try and do it right. There's little
:11:15. > :11:17.things they can miss, maybe turn the wrong way or a belt may not be
:11:17. > :11:22.sitting correctly. That's the high standards we require in the Welsh
:11:22. > :11:29.Guards. I'm new here, it's my first troop. A lot to live up to because
:11:29. > :11:33.all the boys have done it before. It's really nerve wracking. Being
:11:33. > :11:41.Welsh, the camaraderie -- camaraderie is fantastic. Everybody
:11:41. > :11:47.mucks in, it's like a brotherhood. My family think it's very funny that
:11:47. > :11:52.I've got a bearskin on my head but they are very proud of me. The last
:11:52. > :12:00.time I did it my girlfriend came down with my father and my mother.
:12:00. > :12:05.It's a brilliant job, I love it. Welsh Guards taking pride in their
:12:05. > :12:15.heritage. They first trooped their colour for the sovereign back in
:12:15. > :12:15.
:12:15. > :13:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:13:13. > :13:17.1928, that was for King George V. first carriage we have the Duchess
:13:17. > :13:20.of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Duke
:13:20. > :13:28.of York and his two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess
:13:28. > :13:38.Eugenie. In the third carriage we have the Earl and Countess of Wessex
:13:38. > :13:40.and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor. This is the final public
:13:40. > :13:50.engagement for the Duchess of Cambridge before the due date for
:13:50. > :13:59.
:13:59. > :14:04.her individual pro-dash-macro file grow steadily over the past year.
:14:04. > :14:09.She attended the State Opening of Parliament for the first time with
:14:09. > :14:13.the Prince of Wales last month. A great scene along The Mall. We will
:14:13. > :14:18.see even more crowds later on as they arrive here for the balcony
:14:18. > :14:28.appearance and the fly-past after the parade is complete. A short
:14:28. > :14:33.journey along The Mall. It's under a mile from Buckingham Palace. Once
:14:33. > :14:43.the three carriages are on their way, we will then be ready for the
:14:43. > :15:12.
:15:12. > :15:17.Queen's departure from Buckingham Corporal Ben Ruffer. Her Majesty
:15:17. > :15:22.travelling to Horse Guards in the glass coach today with the Duke of
:15:22. > :15:25.Kent who is Colonel of the Scots Guards. He is a cousin to both the
:15:25. > :15:30.Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip is missing the parade
:15:30. > :15:36.this year. He has only missed a few over the years. He recovers from his
:15:36. > :15:40.recent operation. The Duke of Edinburgh who marked his 92nd
:15:40. > :15:44.birthday this week. His absence will be keenly felt by the Queen, the
:15:44. > :15:50.Royal family and also by the Grenadier Guards, whose kernel he
:15:50. > :15:56.is, and with whom he has a close bond. The Duke of Cambridge riding
:15:56. > :16:06.as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the Prince of Wales and the Princess
:16:06. > :16:20.
:16:20. > :16:28.Royal. The Princess Royal, Colonel turning into the approach road, if
:16:28. > :16:32.you yard is away from Horse Guards Parade. -- a few yards away from
:16:32. > :16:36.Horse Guards Parade. Lots of enthusiastic cheering for the
:16:36. > :16:43.Duchess of Cambridge. Everyone knowing that she is a month away
:16:43. > :16:50.from that first baby. The child will be third in line for the throne. We
:16:50. > :17:00.can see the Guards have opened up. They have repositioned. That is to
:17:00. > :17:12.
:17:12. > :17:22.make way for this first section of will be the National Anthem them to
:17:22. > :17:50.
:17:50. > :18:00.blues and Royal uniform decorated with the wings of the Army Air Corps
:18:00. > :18:27.
:18:27. > :18:32.Mall is the brigade major. Four procession hugely. I have to make
:18:32. > :18:35.sure we get the timing is right. That is my responsibility to deliver
:18:35. > :18:40.Her Majesty on to deliver Her Majesty onto the dais at exactly 11
:18:40. > :18:50.o'clock. I have to look at the crowds to make sure they are having
:18:50. > :19:06.
:19:06. > :19:16.a good time but mostly I will be Guards starts the music on the
:19:16. > :19:16.
:19:16. > :20:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:20:26. > :20:30.coronation, we can reflect a little on the Queen's service. She has
:20:30. > :20:33.undertaken 96 state visits to 116 different countries. Representatives
:20:33. > :20:41.of lots of those different countries, especially the
:20:41. > :20:51.Commonwealth, are here today. The glass coach arrives on the parade
:20:51. > :20:52.
:20:52. > :20:58.ground. The head coach and is Mark Hargreaves. Very soon he will
:20:58. > :21:08.provide his own distinct tooth salute to the Colour. -- his
:21:08. > :21:08.
:21:08. > :21:13.distinctive salute. That will be followed immediately by the three
:21:13. > :21:23.Royal is, the Duke of Cambridge, his father, the Prince of Wales and the
:21:23. > :21:25.
:21:25. > :21:32.Princess Royal. And the two nonroyal Colonels behind them. The Queen's
:21:32. > :21:35.Birthday Parade of 2013 is about to begin. At the stroke of 11 o'clock,
:21:35. > :21:42.the Queen and the Duke of Kent this year, will step onto the saluting
:21:42. > :21:45.base. The Royal Standard will be broken or released. The field
:21:45. > :21:55.officer will give his command and then the National Anthem will be
:21:55. > :21:56.
:21:56. > :23:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:23:19. > :23:25.inspect the line of Guards. It is also an opportunity for the massed
:23:25. > :23:30.bands to entertain. The man in charge is Lt Col Stephen Barnwell.
:23:30. > :23:36.The first piece is great and glorious, performed by one of his
:23:36. > :23:46.predecessors, Leslie Statham, who I am told composed the original match
:23:46. > :23:47.
:23:47. > :25:32.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:25:32. > :25:40.inspection. It is called Royal Standard. The Queen is Colonel in
:25:40. > :25:50.Chief of all the regiments. This is Her Majesty's opportunity to inspect
:25:50. > :25:50.
:25:50. > :25:54.the troops which constitute her own personal or two guard. -- bodyguard.
:25:54. > :26:02.The Household Cavalry are the only regiments are allowed to present a
:26:02. > :26:09.sovereign standard on today's arrayed. This year it is the
:26:09. > :26:14.standard of the Life Guards with Squadron Corporal Major Kris
:26:14. > :26:24.Newell. Their lead gun is treated as the Colour. It enjoys the same
:26:24. > :26:33.
:26:33. > :26:38.status as the Colour being trooped Norton's last year as General
:26:38. > :26:48.Officer commanding London district. He is soon to take up a post in
:26:48. > :26:52.
:26:52. > :26:57.Italy as deputy commander NATO deployment core. For Lt Col Stephen
:26:57. > :27:02.Barnwell, this should be the best arrayed of them all. I am retiring
:27:02. > :27:08.this year in November. This is my last time trooping the Colour. It is
:27:08. > :27:13.very special. Doing this parade as senior director of music, they
:27:13. > :27:19.always say if you're holding a stick, it goes much quicker. That is
:27:19. > :27:26.true but I want to savour this. I do not want it to go too fast. It has
:27:26. > :27:30.been an absolute joy working with the musicians. And to have control
:27:30. > :27:37.as a conductor over such a powerful and talented force as that, it is
:27:37. > :27:44.the epitome of any musician's career.
:27:44. > :27:50.The massed preparing now to play one of the most enduringly popular
:27:50. > :28:00.military marches, Les Huguenots. One of the highlights of the Birthday
:28:00. > :28:00.
:28:00. > :32:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:32:02. > :32:09.march! The quick march is heroes returned
:32:09. > :32:19.by Arnold Steck. Aptly chosen from the Welsh Guards, who returned from
:32:19. > :32:22.
:32:22. > :32:26.Afghanistan earlier this year. The lone drummer is Lance Corporal
:32:26. > :32:36.Christopher Rees, from Maesteg in South Wales. He joined the Welsh
:32:36. > :32:36.
:32:36. > :34:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:34:02. > :34:09.Guards in 2008 and has completed two days when all battlefield command
:34:09. > :34:12.were given by drumbeat. Orderly Byron Clark marches forward to take
:34:12. > :34:22.the pace stick. That allows him to draw his sword. He is ready to
:34:22. > :34:22.
:34:22. > :35:32.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:35:32. > :35:42.protect the Colour will stop that is to the march of the British
:35:42. > :35:43.
:35:43. > :35:48.Grenadiers. This shows the results of weeks of hard work. Enormous
:35:48. > :35:54.pride at the culmination, so it gives a great tingle. My own father
:35:54. > :36:04.and brother were in the Welsh Guards and fought in battles. It matters a
:36:04. > :36:04.
:36:04. > :36:55.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:36:55. > :37:04.take possession of the Colour will stop protecting it with his sword,
:37:04. > :37:14.and then ready to hand it over to the Ensign, he is following him for
:37:14. > :37:14.
:37:14. > :39:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:39:02. > :39:12.Today's Ensign receives the Colour the Colour, having taken possession,
:39:12. > :39:51.
:39:51. > :40:01.has now become the Escort to the The formal ceremony of trooping the
:40:01. > :40:09.
:40:09. > :40:13.by 45 members of The Corps of Drums. There they are performing the
:40:13. > :40:23.complex spinning wheel. They change direction without changing
:40:23. > :40:23.
:40:23. > :41:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:41:38. > :41:44.formation. It's quite a challenge slow march, arranged by Fred Harris.
:41:44. > :41:48.This is the real test for the Ensign Second Lieutenant Joel Dunwoodie.
:41:48. > :41:53.Watched by millions around the world. Just as important, watched by
:41:53. > :42:00.his family in the crowd today. never thought I was going to be
:42:00. > :42:04.Ensign. It came as a real surprise to find that out. In rehearsals, I
:42:04. > :42:08.have been carrying a practice colour, which is much heavier than
:42:08. > :42:12.the actual one. But it enables me to strengthen my shoulders, feel the
:42:12. > :42:16.weight and get the movement is correct. So on the day I will
:42:16. > :42:21.perform well. My family will be sitting in the stands. I'm hoping
:42:21. > :42:29.they'll be thinking of me. I'll certainly be trying to keep it at
:42:29. > :42:39.the back of my mind. A rather modest Joel Dunwoodie, sharing his thoughts
:42:39. > :42:43.
:42:43. > :42:51.land warfare, where colours were used practically as a rallying
:42:51. > :42:57.point. Today it is all about powerful symbolism, Sebastien.
:42:57. > :43:05.indeed. These colours are presented by the Queen. During that
:43:05. > :43:09.presentation, they are blessed by the regimental padre. They have a
:43:09. > :43:15.sacramental significant -- significance for every regiment, as
:43:15. > :43:21.well as being the history of the great lives of many brave men who
:43:21. > :43:31.have fought and given their lives. And also a rallying point. No longer
:43:31. > :43:31.
:43:31. > :44:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:44:16. > :44:26.in battle, but certainly at the turn! Escort to the Colour. Arms!
:44:26. > :44:53.
:44:53. > :45:03.Escort to the Colour. Present arms. The officers take post ready for the
:45:03. > :45:03.
:45:03. > :45:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:45:48. > :45:53.march past. The Colour moves to the Drum Major Tom Birkett. It was
:45:53. > :46:03.composed shortly after the Second World War. Tom Birkett from the
:46:03. > :46:03.
:46:03. > :47:50.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:47:50. > :47:56.third Battalion the Coldstream the ability to stretch legs? You are
:47:56. > :48:00.absolutely right, Huw. At this stage, they are re-enacting battle
:48:01. > :48:04.drills of 200 years ago when they defeated Napoleon. But it is
:48:04. > :48:14.important to reflect that they are carrying the weapons which many of
:48:14. > :48:39.
:48:39. > :48:44.them have used in action in the last first tripped their colour for the
:48:44. > :48:52.Queen in 1965. They are immediately recognised with their buttons
:48:53. > :49:02.grouped in fives. They have a green and white plume. Their leak collar
:49:03. > :49:05.
:49:05. > :49:10.emblem. The Prime Minister and Samantha Cameron enjoying the
:49:10. > :49:15.sunshine, enjoying the music and enjoying the parade today. They are
:49:15. > :49:21.surrounded by some African leaders including the President of Tanzania,
:49:21. > :49:31.Senegal, Mali and Nigeria. They are there as part of a conference before
:49:31. > :49:31.
:49:31. > :50:35.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:50:35. > :50:41.the G8 talks which are taking place the parade, Major Henry Bettinson.
:50:41. > :50:51.The change in music tells you that these are the Men of Harlech, the
:50:51. > :51:16.
:51:16. > :51:26.the Queen. It is what we call the flourish. And then we'll recover or
:51:26. > :51:26.
:51:26. > :52:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:52:22. > :52:30.Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Prince of Wales. One of the three
:52:30. > :52:40.Royal Colonels as the music changes to Scipio by Handel. Nine Megan
:52:40. > :52:41.
:52:41. > :52:51.company, first Battalion Grenadier Guards. -- Nijmegen company. The
:52:51. > :52:51.
:52:51. > :54:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:54:06. > :54:11.kernel in Chief is the Duke of to meet the Queen. The sword is
:54:11. > :54:19.drawn but it is a special form of salute which conveys no threat at
:54:19. > :54:28.all to Her Majesty. A neutral slow march this time, Thievish Magpie
:54:28. > :54:34.taken from Rossini's Opera. The first time in many years that the
:54:34. > :54:38.Household Cavalry had no operational tours in 2012. The regiment is now
:54:38. > :54:43.committed again with a third of its force in Afghanistan. The Irish
:54:43. > :54:51.Guards as well and many of the troops seen at the Queen's Birthday
:54:51. > :54:56.Parade last year are currently in Afghanistan. We spoke to some of
:54:56. > :55:00.them. This time last year we were getting ready for the Queen's
:55:00. > :55:04.Diamond Jubilee. We were there with a quarter of a million people out on
:55:04. > :55:10.the Mall. The Queen 's Diamond Jubilee and the royal wedding as
:55:10. > :55:17.well. It is not often you get to stand there in front of such a huge
:55:17. > :55:23.crowd. It is hot in a bare skin as it is in body armour. Your feet --
:55:23. > :55:27.your feet ache. The best of luck from everyone out here. You are
:55:27. > :55:36.probably sweating as much a bearskin as we are in body armour. Remember
:55:36. > :55:45.it is your day, and joy. Follow your lines. It is a special day when the
:55:45. > :55:51.Queen comes out on parade. So, the Guards have reformed and
:55:51. > :56:01.they are ready to march past in quick time. The tempo increases. A
:56:01. > :56:02.
:56:03. > :56:12.new sense of dynamism and energy. The quick march is the champion. --
:56:13. > :56:33.
:56:33. > :56:37.a time to reflect on the profile and status of the Armed Forces. Events
:56:38. > :56:45.in recent weeks have given us a sharp focus on that as well.
:56:45. > :56:55.Indeed. I spoke to kernel Dino Bosi, the field officer and he was amazed,
:56:55. > :56:55.
:56:55. > :56:59.as was the rest of the Welsh Guards, by the reaction of the population to
:56:59. > :57:09.the appalling killer of Drummer Lee Rigby. They were Feste and with
:57:09. > :57:13.
:57:13. > :57:20.floral tributes -- festooned. And he also said that he had been stunned
:57:20. > :57:25.by the meteoric reaction of the locals in Hounslow to their return
:57:25. > :57:29.from Afghanistan. That is of enormous significance to every
:57:30. > :57:39.soldier and their families, to know that we have the support of the
:57:40. > :57:40.
:57:40. > :59:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:59:06. > :59:09.nation in very evident and very the rear of the Escort. Number two
:59:09. > :59:19.and number three guard is also provided by the first Battalion
:59:19. > :59:19.
:59:19. > :01:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:01:03. > :01:09.sharing his thoughts confession to make. I first saw the troop when I
:01:09. > :01:13.was three years old. I wanted to do what I'm doing today. It is just
:01:14. > :01:18.luck that I'm able to do it. I feel hugely privileged to be able to do
:01:18. > :01:21.that. It is the closest honour to the honour of command in your
:01:21. > :01:30.battalion on operations, which I've also been able to do during my time
:01:30. > :01:37.in command. So I'm very Dino Bosi, the childhood dream which,
:01:38. > :01:42.Sebastian, one has to say is a huge Indeed. Quite a lot of us who cut
:01:42. > :01:46.the great honour to serve on this parade and in these regiments have
:01:46. > :01:51.probably had our first taste, as young children watching this
:01:51. > :01:57.parade, either here, at horse Guards, or on the television. I know
:01:57. > :02:07.that in my case it was probably the nub of an I absolutely share what he
:02:07. > :02:08.
:02:08. > :02:18.has just said. I'm sure that applies to many hundreds of those on parade
:02:18. > :02:18.
:02:18. > :04:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:04:19. > :04:24.mounted troops to salute the base. We have cool weather today, very
:04:24. > :04:33.good for the horses. The massed bands march to one side, clearing a
:04:33. > :04:40.place for the Mounted Bands. The drum horses are the only horses to
:04:40. > :04:46.hold the rank of officer. They are owned by Her Majesty the Queen.
:04:46. > :04:53.Big, heavy horses, they can either be a shire horse or Clydesdale. They
:04:53. > :04:56.need to carry the weight of those heavy kettledrums. The Mounted Bands
:04:56. > :05:06.of the Household Cavalry move on to the north side of Horse Guards, led
:05:06. > :05:21.
:05:21. > :05:25.by Major Paul Wilburn. He is also a have been on parade. They joined the
:05:25. > :05:32.ceremony at Horse Guards by request of the Royal Family. They first took
:05:32. > :05:37.part in 1998. A very impressive sight. Our high standard of riding
:05:37. > :05:47.in the King's Troop. Many of them compete in events, including
:05:47. > :06:14.
:06:14. > :06:24.of the King's Troop on August 2011, it's his second time on parade
:06:24. > :06:58.
:06:58. > :07:03.acknowledges. The guns are in effect the Colour of the King's Troop. They
:07:03. > :07:09.are the real thing, they were used in action in the great Wall. Only 25
:07:09. > :07:13.of these guns in existence today worldwide. The Troop itself has kept
:07:13. > :07:23.the title King's Troop on the orders of the Queen, in memory of her
:07:23. > :07:53.
:07:53. > :08:03.Guards. The sovereign 's Escort makes its way past the saluting
:08:03. > :08:10.
:08:10. > :08:20.base. Led by the Field Officer of the Escort, the commander. Field
:08:20. > :08:26.
:08:26. > :08:32.Officer Nick Stewart of The Life Blues and Royals. Their recent
:08:32. > :08:42.history going back to 1969, when the Royal Horse Guards were amalgamated
:08:42. > :08:43.
:08:43. > :08:53.with the Royal dragoons. Their Colonel is the Princess Royal. The
:08:53. > :09:18.
:09:18. > :09:28.farriers dressed in their glinting everyone trying to maintain a
:09:28. > :09:57.
:09:57. > :09:59.steady, sitting trot. Good control lucky, recovering from a leg injury
:09:59. > :10:06.and a suspected temporary blindness. As he can see, she's now fine
:10:06. > :10:12.health. Her Majesty the Queen with her great knowledge of horses and
:10:12. > :10:19.also her affection for them, she's watching carefully. There are 75
:10:19. > :10:29.horses here this year. They include Harlequins, a five-year-old
:10:29. > :10:53.
:10:53. > :10:58.Household Cavalry, we will find somewhere in there cap next dashed
:10:58. > :11:08.back Ink spot. If you bear your teeth at him, he bares his teeth
:11:08. > :11:08.
:11:08. > :12:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:12:25. > :12:31.sticks as they passed the saluting Director of Music will soon turn
:12:31. > :12:41.inwards. That will signal he is handing back control to the Field
:12:41. > :12:41.
:12:41. > :13:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:13:45. > :13:52.Officer and that the Household the Parade Ground, the Sergeant
:13:52. > :14:02.Major making his way along to the Approach Road, giving the signal
:14:02. > :14:06.that the procession is ready to leave. The Field Officer will ask
:14:06. > :14:16.Her Majesty's permission to march off, to conclude this parade of
:14:16. > :14:19.
:14:19. > :14:29.2013, in the 60th anniversary year of the Queen's Coronation. Your
:14:29. > :14:52.
:14:52. > :14:55.Majesty's Guards are ready to march carriage procession is returning to
:14:55. > :15:02.Buckingham Palace. In the first carriage we have the Duchess of
:15:02. > :15:07.Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, too. Back on Horse
:15:08. > :15:11.Guards Parade, the signal has been received that all is fine for the
:15:11. > :15:21.music to start. The massed bands will play and the Guards will march
:15:21. > :15:28.
:15:28. > :15:37.off. They are marching off to a selection of music known as Arms
:15:37. > :15:47.Park, which refers to a great success in the 1970s, great for me,
:15:47. > :16:03.
:16:03. > :16:09.Approach Road and towards the Mall. It is a day of people looking
:16:09. > :16:15.carefully at the birthday Honours list. Sir Peter Hall, the head of
:16:15. > :16:21.the army, is one of those receiving an honour today. There are some
:16:21. > :16:26.members as well in the household division. Major Nigel Owen awarded
:16:26. > :16:32.the MBE and Warrant Officer Stephen Hill of the Coldstream Guards. Some
:16:32. > :16:36.are being honoured as well, slightly closer to home. The entire team
:16:36. > :16:40.wants to say well done and congratulations to Clare on her
:16:40. > :16:45.OBEs. Thank you very much. It has been wonderful to walk through the
:16:45. > :16:51.crowds. Lots of people saying congratulations, which is lovely.
:16:51. > :16:56.But more importantly they have been here since 7:15am this morning to
:16:56. > :17:00.secure good spot to watch the Queen's Birthday Parade. At this
:17:00. > :17:07.point the procession comes past these two statues which means the
:17:07. > :17:11.most to the Queen. A statue of the Queen Mother and King George VI. The
:17:11. > :17:21.Queen had a look up at them as she came by. The crowds were cheering
:17:21. > :17:23.
:17:23. > :17:31.madly. The wonderful sight of the massed in. -- massed bands. They are
:17:31. > :17:37.resplendent in their uniforms. Crimson, gold braid and lace, pretty
:17:37. > :17:44.much under changed since 1865. As we enjoyed these images, joining us
:17:44. > :17:50.again in the BBC commentary box is the author, commentator and Daily
:17:50. > :17:58.Mail writer Robert Hardman. Good morning to you here. Thank you.
:17:58. > :18:06.impressions so far? You referred to it being a Birthday Parade and we
:18:06. > :18:12.are at that position now. It is a birthday celebration and the 63rd
:18:12. > :18:22.Birthday Parade the Queen has been to, the 59th as monarch. She will be
:18:22. > :18:22.
:18:22. > :18:27.impressed by the spectacle we have seen today. Every yard of this grand
:18:27. > :18:33.ceremonial route along the Mall, designed by Sir Aston Webb. It has
:18:33. > :18:37.featured in every event of her reign. She travelled along it on her
:18:37. > :18:42.wedding day in 1947. Vast crowds were cheering. Other royal weddings
:18:42. > :18:48.in the decades which have followed. It has been a feature on more sombre
:18:48. > :18:52.occasions, her mother and father's funerals. And of course, every year,
:18:52. > :18:57.the principal route from Horse Guards and back for the Birthday
:18:57. > :19:02.Parade. 60 years ago this month the Mall was decorated with massive
:19:02. > :19:07.coronation archers. On those days, the parade was held on a Thursday
:19:07. > :19:12.but apart from that it is pretty much unchanged and that is one
:19:12. > :19:18.reason for its enduring appeal. Her Majesty attends the traditional
:19:18. > :19:28.ceremony of trooping the Colour. The massed is lead the procession
:19:28. > :19:51.
:19:51. > :19:56.around the Queen Victoria Memorial. The Queen accompanied by the Duke of
:19:56. > :20:01.Kent today, Roberts, just reminding us that the Duke of Edinburgh is
:20:01. > :20:04.probably watching the parade in the London clinic. Yes, sadly, his Royal
:20:04. > :20:09.Highness cannot be here today. not the first time he has missed
:20:09. > :20:14.it. There have been a couple of occasions when he has been abroad on
:20:14. > :20:24.business. The last occasion was in 1968. On that occasion the Queen was
:20:24. > :20:25.
:20:25. > :20:35.accompanied by the Duke of Kent. He was not the Duke of Kent. The Queen
:20:35. > :20:35.
:20:35. > :21:31.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:21:31. > :21:40.invited him to join her which is why King's Troop preparing to fire their
:21:40. > :21:44.salute. For both the Queen 's official birthday and her actual
:21:44. > :21:52.birthday it is marked by a royal salute. Today will be a 41 gun
:21:52. > :21:56.salute. The ceremonial season has included royal salutes to march --
:21:56. > :22:02.mark the accession to the throne, the Queen's actual birthday, the
:22:02. > :22:07.coronation, just last Monday the Duke of Edinburgh's 92nd birthday.
:22:07. > :22:13.The basic royal salute is 21 rounds. But the number of rounds fired does
:22:14. > :22:19.depend on the place and the occasion. Today, it is taking place
:22:19. > :22:29.in Green Park. That is a royal park so they add 22 the number which
:22:29. > :22:37.
:22:37. > :22:45.the Birthday Parade is still extremely popular. And still brings
:22:45. > :22:50.joy and excitement to young and old. Last year, the Diamond Jubilee year,
:22:50. > :23:00.there was a vast crowd for the Birthday Parade. This year in the
:23:00. > :23:10.
:23:10. > :23:20.60th anniversary of the coronation, Royal Horse Artillery firing their
:23:20. > :23:36.
:23:37. > :23:42.41 gun salute for the Queen's more sunshine, thankfully, many
:23:42. > :23:44.thousands of people making their way down from Admiralty arch to the
:23:44. > :23:51.general direction of Horse Guards Parade, through Saint James 's
:23:51. > :23:56.Park, down towards Buckingham Palace. The great expanse of the
:23:56. > :24:06.Mall, down towards the Queen Victoria Memorial glinting in the
:24:06. > :24:22.
:24:22. > :24:30.crowd. The Queen leads members of the Royal family out onto that
:24:30. > :24:40.famous balcony ready for the fly past. If we look in the distance,
:24:40. > :24:45.Huw, we might see the RAF. We think 30 aircraft, 13 different types.
:24:45. > :24:50.Eight elements. The first element, the support helicopter Force,
:24:50. > :25:00.Chinook and two Merlins, currently providing vital transport for
:25:00. > :25:01.
:25:01. > :25:06.troops, medical aid and equipment for forces in Afghanistan. The
:25:06. > :25:11.inspiring sight of the Lancaster bomber, part of the RAF Memorial
:25:12. > :25:15.flight based in Lincolnshire. Sadly, we do not have the Spitfire
:25:16. > :25:21.and hurricane fighters today because of the strong wind but the Lancaster
:25:21. > :25:26.is a very powerful presence. I knew surely, this year, we are able to
:25:26. > :25:30.see inside the Lancaster bomber as it makes its approach. A spectacular
:25:30. > :25:40.view for us along The Mall and down towards Buckingham Palace where the
:25:40. > :25:50.royal Family is watching. A broad smile from the Queen. The third
:25:50. > :26:14.
:26:14. > :26:24.eyes and ears, if you like. The Typhoons are from Coningsby. The
:26:24. > :26:31.
:26:31. > :26:35.impressive sight of the Seas 70 Oxfordshire. You cannot convey the
:26:35. > :26:45.fundraising noise as this fly past makes its way over central London
:26:45. > :26:57.
:26:57. > :27:07.and Horse Guards. The sixth 50 air cadets as passengers. A great
:27:07. > :27:09.
:27:09. > :27:17.day for them. We are soon to be joined by the massive Voyager. The
:27:17. > :27:25.Voyager will eventually replace the RAF's remaining fleet of Tri-Star
:27:25. > :27:35.and VC tens. And then the climax of this fly past. The Royal Air Force
:27:35. > :27:45.aerobatics team of the famous Red Arrows, led by Squadron leader Jim
:27:45. > :27:45.
:27:45. > :27:55.Turner, team leader of the Red Arrows. The Queen acknowledges the
:27:55. > :27:56.
:27:56. > :28:06.applause and cheers. She looks very happy. Prince Harry looking on. And
:28:06. > :28:08.
:28:08. > :28:15.the Duchess of Cambridge smiling as the Royal Family make their way back
:28:15. > :28:20.into the palace. The Birthday Parade of 2013 in this 60th anniversary of
:28:20. > :28:23.the Queen's coronation is at an end. Another superb display on Horse
:28:23. > :28:29.Guards led by the Welsh Guards and an equally impressive display by the