2013 Trooping the Colour

1953, members of the Royal Family gathered in this room to watch the

first big military parade of the Queen's reign. It is not just a good

vantage point, it is also a place steeped in history as the office

once occupied by the Duke of Wellington. The family will be back

here today following events from this window as they enjoy the

ceremony of Trooping the Colour to mark the Queen's Official Birthday

reign took place on 11th June, nine days after the Coronation. All the

decorations were still in place. It was the first official engagement

for the new Queen. 60 years on, the Birthday Parade features some

rousing Welsh tunes as the Prince of Wales Company, 1st Battalion Welsh

Guards, provide the Escort and a very prominent part in today's

ceremony. This time last year, the soldiers were deployed in

Afghanistan, which reminds everyone watching that they combine these

ceremonial duties with life on the frontline. Since last year's parade,

25 members of the Armed Forces have lost their lives serving in

Afghanistan. Five of them from the Household Division, three Grenadier

Guardsmen, two Welsh Guardsmen. A vast crowd of #,000 in the stands.

There were more than 17,000 applications for tickets from all

around the world. -- 5,000 in the stands. Here too, heads of the Armed

Forces, along with representatives from many foreign nations, including

the Commonwealth member states. In line with tradition, The Mall is

lined with Union Flags to celebrate the Queen's Official Birthday. There

are 200 soldiers lining the route. Their ten officers provided by 1st

Battalion Grenadier Guards today. Along the route, poignant reminders

for the Queen of the loss of her father, King George VI, and her late

mother. At Buckingham Palace, the Sovereign's Escort and the Mounted

Bands waiting to accompany the company and other members of the

Royal Family to Horse Guards Parade. This year, we have extended coverage

on BBC One. We will be staying on air to see the balcony appearance

and a fly-past involving up to 32 aircraft, including the Red Arrows.

We are providing continuous unedited coverage on bbc.co.uk/trooping. Not

long to go before the processions get under way. Let's say a good

morning to Clare Balding. CLARE BALDING: I am on the roof of

the Horse Guards Building. It is breezy up here. Alongside me is

Lance Sergeant Martin Turner, known as Big T. You can see why! What is

your responsibility today? responsibility today has been

sorting out the dais. My main responsibility is to crack Her

Majesty's Standard. What does that mean? When Her Majesty comes on

parade, I will pull a cord, three stitches will pop and it will spring

out. This is your last Queen's Birthday parade? I am retiring. My

family and friends have come down to see me. Well happy with that.

wish you well. Hope it goes perfectly. Thank you. My special

guest today knows everything there is to know about this parade. He was

formerly Colonel of the Irish Guards, he was succeeded by Prince

William two years ago. There he is. He is Major-General Sir Sebastian

Roberts. It is a great pleasure to have you with us. Good morning.

morning. What are you looking forward to? Like everybody, that

extraordinary combination of ancient tradition and modern professionalism

embodied in these young men and women on parade today. All soldiers

who have achieved the same remarkable standards in ceremonials

in all their other duties and all coming together in this world-famous

celebration of our Queen's official birthday. The last time the 1st

Battalion Welsh Guards trooped their colour was in 2008. Since then, they

have deployed twice to Afghanistan. They provide today's Escort and

Numbers 2 and 3 Guards. We have been speaking to some of them about their

recent tour. All soldiers need to be adaptable. For Guardsmen, that

adaptability is stark. We go from wearing our combat clothing into

scarlet very readily. On our most recent tour of Afghanistan, the

majority of the battalion formed the Police Mentoring Advisory Group.

They were there to train and advise the police. We get up at dawn. We

set off to our patrol base. As soon as we get there, we go into our

security measures. We would then build a rapport with the police.

is quite hard because you have that language barrier. It is trying to

understand people from a different culture. After a while, they are the

same as you. You build-up bonds. They do look after you. On one of

these patrols, we went to the checkpoint, as we always did.

Unfortunately, two of my Guards were shot dead by a rogue Afghan

policeman who was unknown to the checkpoints. The situation was a

commander's worst nightmare. He had casualties. More than that, a

volatile situation which was threatening his mission. He was only

six weeks into it. We were back out on operations with the Afghan police

soon after the incident occurred. Two weeks following this, I became a

casualty from a gunshot wound. essence of good leadership is that

you can rise above that sort of chaos and that is what Ben did. For

that, he was very deservedly awarded the Queen's Commendation.

Queen's Birthday Parade has served as a recovery vehicle for me. Me

being on parade today is a tribute to the recovery I have gone through.

It is a sincere form of flattery. They are done by hard, fighting men

who have been at the tip of a spear and we are very proud to have both

roles. The men of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards sharing their frontline

experiences with us. And Captain Ben Bardsley has made a remarkable

recovery from those life-threatening injuries. He is here today as

Subaltern of No 2 Guard. He can be sfoR given if he is a little

distracted today - he is getting married to his fiancee in a week's

time. We wish them well. The Escort provided by the Prince of Wales

Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. The 1st Battalion also providing the

men for No 2 Guard and No 3 Guard. Let's have a look at the far end. No

7 Company, Coldstream Guards, providing No 6 Guard today. Next to

them is No 5 Guard, provided by F Company Scots Guards. No 4 Guard

provided by Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards. Later this month,

the Queen will present new Colours to the company at Buckingham Palace.

The 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, started their six-month deployment

to Afghanistan in April. A successful Birthday Parade depends

on hundreds of men and women setting the highest standards of precision

and drill. The man in charge is the Field Officer, Lieutenant Colonel

Dino Bosi. He is with Clare. This must be a proud day for the

battalion? I must admit a bit nerve-wracking. We hope we will be

able to live up to the high standards that our predecessors have

set. It is all about team work and about you and your Stead. This is

Winston. Hello. You can look happier than that if you like! What sort of

a relationship have you built up? He's a real old stager. He is 22. He

hasn't done a parade before. This is a new experience for both of us.

is quite elderly? He is. He is 22. His birthday is in dispute. He can't

tell us! Other than counting teeth, we are not sure. He is immensely

calm. You will find he is still frisky. There is life in the old dog

yet. He will bounce along with the band. He seems to enjoy the music.

know you and your men have been extremely busy. For those based in

London, one of their jobs have been to provide the Queen's guard. We

sent a camera behind-the-scenes to find out what this key role entails

at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Birthday Parade is an incredibly

complicated and intricate parade. The standard that is required for us

on that parade is nothing short of excellence. The drill is very much

our bread-and-butter while we are in London. When the guys do it now, it

is all about getting experience, to work together as a team. When they

step out of the gates, the crowds will have started to build-up and it

is six to ten-deep down The Mall. It doesn't phase the guys. The guard

Room at Buckingham Palace, it is an opportunity for the guys to take

their bearskin off, have something to eat, before they go back out.

is quite nervous when you see a couple of hundred people watching

you. All the faces are looking at you, wondering when you are going to

move. Concentration is the hardest thing. You focus on your job and try

and do it right. There are little things they can miss - a button may

be turned the wrong way and a belt might not be sitting correctly.

new here. This is my first Troop. I have a lot to live up to. It is

really nerve-wracking. Being Welsh, the camaraderie within the battalion

is fantastic. We get knives and forks today! Everyone mucks in. We

are altogether. My daughters think it is very funny, I have a bearskin

on my head, but they are very proud of me. The last time I was in

Trooping the Colour, my girlfriend came down with my father and mother.

That was one of my proudest moments. This year, will be better. I love

it. The Welsh Guards taking pride in their heritage. They trooped their

colour for the sovereign in 1928, that was for King George V. The

Colour Party is in place. We have just seen some of the preparation.

It is a great honour to be selected for such a central role in the

Parade. At Buckingham Palace, the first Royal Procession is leaving

Horse Guards. -- is leaving for # God save our gracious Queen.

# Long live our noble Queen. # God save the Queen.

# Send her victorious. # Happy and glorious.

# Long to reign over us. # Long to reign over us.

# God save the Queen. In the first carriage we have the

Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Duke

of York and his two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess

Eugenie. In the third carriage, we have the Earl and Countess of Wessex

and their daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. This is the

final public engagement for the Duchess of Cambridge before the due

date for her baby, which is next month. The Duchess of Cornwall - we

have seen her profile growing steadily over the last year. She

attended the State Opening of Parliament for the first time a

couple of months ago. A great scene along The Mall. We will see more

crowds later on as they arrive here for the balcony appearance and the

fly-past after the Parade is is just under a mile from Buckingham

Palace to Horse Guards Parade. Once the three carriages are on their

way, we will be ready for the Queen's departure from Buckingham

the breeze above Buckingham Palace. One of the great sights along the

ceremonial route, which of course is so familiar to members of the royal

family, but especially the Queen. The 60th anniversary year after the

child will be third in line to the throne regardless of gender and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Officer's trumpet. The Duke of Kent, the Colonel of the Scots Guards,

cousin of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, missing the parade this

year. He missed very few over the years as he recovers from his recent

operation. The Duke of Edinburgh marked his 92nd birthday this week.

Of course his absence will be keenly felt by the Queen, the royal

family, but also the Grenadier Guards, whose Colonel he is and with

vehicle at these state events. We last saw it at the State opening of

Parliament. It is used by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of

turning into the approach road. Just a few yards away from Horse Guards

think, the Duchess of Cambridge. Everyone knowing that she is one

month away from that first baby. The child will be third in line to the

throne. As we can see, the guards have opened up. They have been

positioned and that is to make way for this first section of carriages

will be a national anthem to greet them.

It's Blues and Royals uniform decorated with the wings of the Army

Air Corps, his Diamond Jubilee medal, and his Afghanistan campaign

medal. The carriages approach the Horse Guards Building, where the

royal party will watch the parade from the room we saw a little

earlier, the office once occupied by the Duke of Wellington, and they

have to say by the man sitting next to me. The Major-General's offers,

of course. What can they look forward to? Apart from anything

else, one of the most beautiful rooms in London, it is said, and I

am sure that is right. It has the most extraordinary articles in it.

The Major-General's desk is now called Wellington's desk from when

he was commander in chief. Wonderful Gainsborough portraits on the walls

and a bust of Marlborough. Wonderful military history. Well, it was in

1748 that it was decided to make this parade of birthday event for

the Sovereign, after George III came to the throne in 1760 it became very

much an annual event. Leading the procession along the Mall is the

brigade major, four Troopers of the Lifeguards. This is his first

Queen's Birthday Parade in this role. I am looking forward to

leading the progression smoothly. Getting the timing is right is so

important, delivering Her Majesty to the dais exactly on the stroke of 11

o'clock. I will be making sure that the crowds are having a good time

but mostly I will just be enjoying myself, I think. The brigade major,

now responsible for delivering ceremonial and public duties. Quite

a responsibility. The four Troopers provided by the Lifeguards this

year. They are chosen from the top finishers of the Princess Elizabeth

cup, the annual competition for the Regiment. Among them, one of the

youngest of the Regiment, just 19, Mounted Bands of the Household

Cavalry. This blend and in their gold state kit. Rightly known for

their high standards of musicianship and horsemanship. They are led by

the director of music, who is Major Paul Willman of the Lifeguards. He

started his career more than a quarter of a century ago as a

flautist. It is a nice story that he Sovereign's Escort this year

provided by the Lifeguards. The distinctive red tunics, white

plumes, raised by the exiled Charles II in 1658. They are the senior

Regiment of the British Army. By the way, the tradition of using the

Household Cavalry to Escort the Sovereign to the parade is a

relatively recent thing, introduced in 1937 by George VI. We have the

Lifeguards providing the first and second divisions, meaning that this

year the third and fourth divisions of the Sovereign's Escort are

provided by the Blues and Royals. They have dark blue tunics and red

plumes and state helmets designed by way slowly along the Mall. Mark

Hargreaves, the head coachman, he knows this route very well. Is his

sixth Birthday Parade. A long career in the Armed Forces. Just a glimpse

there of the Princess Royal. The Colonel of the Blues and Royals. One

of three Royal Colonels in this start the music on the approach

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

probably 100 yards before Admiralty at the turn right. Along the

approach road, under the great line of Union flags. That reminds us that

the Queen first took part in the parade back in 1947 at the age of

21. That was the first parade after the war, arriving as Colonel of the

Grenadier Guards them. The youth participants, we can hear them, from

the boys Brigade, and the scouts, and they have a very good review on

the corner. 60 years since the Coronation. We can reflect a little

as well on the Queen's service and sense of duty. She has undertaken

260 official overseas visits, including 96 state visits in that

time to 116 different countries. Representatives of lots of those

countries, especially the parade ground. The head coach man,

Mark Hargreaves, very soon will provide his own special distinctive

immediately by the three Royal Colonels, the Duke of Cambridge, his

father the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and then the two

is about to begin and at the stroke of 11 o'clock, the Queen and the

Duke of Kent this year, will step onto the saluting base. The Royal

Standard will be broken or released. The Field Officer will

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

give his command. And then the # God save our gracious Queen.

# Long live our noble Queen. # God save the Queen.

# Send her victorious. # Happy and glorious.

# Long to reign over us. Guard Guards, slope arms. -- guards,

the line of Guards. It is also an opportunity for the Massed Bands to

entertain, of course. The man in charge is the Senior Director of

Music, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Barnwell, of the Welsh Guards. The

first piece is Great And Glorious, composed by Major Leslie Statham. I

am told he composed the original Match Of The Day theme tune. There

will be a total of 48 pieces of MUSIC: "Great And Glorious"

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Colonel-in-Chief of all seven regiments of the Household Division.

This is Her Majesty's opportunity to inspect the troops who constitute

regiments allowed to present a Sovereign's Standard on today's

parade. This year, it is the Sovereign Standard of the Life

Guards. The standard-bearer is Colour. The Royal Colonels do

likewise. Towards the King's troop, their lead gun is treated as the

Colour. It enjoys the same status as the Colour being trooped by the

Norton's last year as General Officer Commanding London District.

He is soon to take up a post in Italy as Deputy Commander of NATO

Rapid Deployment Corps in July 2013. George has had two marvellous years

as the GOC London District. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Barnwell,

this should be the best parade of them all. I am retiring this year in

November so this is my last time Trooping the Colour. It is very

special. Doing this parade, as the Senior Director of Music, they

always say if you are holding the stick, it goes much quicker. That is

very true. I want to savour this. It has been a joy working with the

musicians serving in the bands of the Household Division. To have

control as a conductor over such a powerful and talented force as that,

it is the epitome of any musician's career serving in the military.

Massed Bands preparing to play one of the most enduringly popular

military marches, Les Huguenots. One of the highlights of the Birthday

Parade every year since 1871. Some people say they come to hear this

piece of music, it is that good! Once the Senior Director of Music is

ready, the Queen is back on the saluting base with the Duke of Kent,

the Glass Coach taken away, we will ESCORT: Massed Bands by the Centre,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

the centre, quick march! The quick march is Heroes Return by Arnold

Steck. Aptly chosen from the Welsh Guards, who returned from

Afghanistan earlier this year, Major Christopher Rees from Maesteg in

South Wales. He joined the Welsh Guards in 2008 and has completed two

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

MUSIC: "Heroes Return" the days when all battlefield

commander given by drumbeat. Orderly Guardsman Byron Clarke moves to take

the stick. That signals the next phase of the parade. Change arms.

Stand at ease. Escort for the Colour, in close order, left dress.

Captain Fred Lloyd George gives the order for the Colour to take up

their dressing in close order. Escort for the Colour, by the left,

quick march. They step off very smartly to the march of the British

Grenadiers. They are taking centre stage next to show the result of

weeks of hard work. Enormous pride, as you say, in the culmination of

weeks and years of hard work. Pride is not only in their Regiment but of

course in representing their nation, this year Wales. And knowing that

they will shortly be escorting the Colour, which records Battle

Honours. It gives a great tingle, I must say. My own father and brother

were both in the Welsh Guards and bought in battles which are recorded

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

on those colours. It matters a great order, right dress. About turn.

Guards, turn. Change arms. Slope regimental surgeon officer Martin

Topps, because he is now preparing to take possession of the Colour.

Protecting it with his sword, ready to hand it over to the Ensign,

second Lieutenant Joe Dinwiddie, who is following him. Ready for the next

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

young Welsh Guardsman second Lieutenant Joe Dinwiddie. The Ensign

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

receives the Colour ready for the the Colour, having taken possession,

has now become the Escort to the Colour. The Colour party joins the

Escort. They prepare to advance in slow time. Escort to the Colour,

turn arms. Escort to the Colour, by and the formal ceremony of the

Trooping the Colour is about to begin. 180 musicians on parade

supported by 45 members of the core of drums. And there they are

performing the complex spin wheel as it is called, to change direction

without changing formation. Quite a challenge but they always accomplish

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Slow March. And this is the real test, watched around the world,

Colonel Joe Dinwiddie. I never thought I would be the Ensign. It

came as a real surprise to find that actually my drill was slightly

better than other people in rehearsals. I have been carrying a

practice colour in rehearsal, which is much heavier than in real life,

but it allows me to steady my shoulders and get the movements

correct for on the day. My family will be sitting in the stands

somewhere. My hope they will be thinking of me. I will certainly be

keeping them at the back of my mind. A rather modest Joe Dinwiddie

sharing his thoughts on today's duty. The Colour is trooped down the

ranks, an echo of the early days when colours will used practically

as rallying points. Today it is all about powerful symbolism. Rated

indeed. These colours presented by the Queen. -- it is indeed. During a

presentation, they are blessed. They have for every Regiment sacramental

significance, as well as being the record of the history of great

battles, of many brave men who have fought and given their lives. And

also a rallying point, no longer in battle, but certainly at the beating

number two guard. And the Sergeant major, one of his cadets at

Sandhurst was Fred Lloyd George, the great-grandson of Lloyd George. He

is sub Alton of the Escort today. -- sub altern. Hole! Escort to the

Colour, left turn. Escort to the post. Quick march. The officers take

post, ready for the march past. The Colour moves to the rear of the

retire. About turn. Numbers one to five guards at the halt, right form,

Drum Major Tom Birkett, played by The Corps of Drums. Drum Major Tom

Birkett is from 3rd Battalion Numbers 1 to 5 Guards will advance.

About-turn. No 6 Guard, close order. March! Move to the left in threes.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

MUSIC: "Grand March From Rienzi" March From Rienzi by Wagner. The

Guards prepare for the march past. A real sense of relief, the ability to

stretch legs? You are right, Huw. At this stage, the Guardsmen have been

standing for the best part of an hour, changing arms a couple of

times. There is no question, it is relief. For them, they feel they are

getting into this parade. They are enacting the battle drills of 200

years ago, which defeated Napoleon. It is important to reflect that they

are carrying the weapons that many of them have used in action in the

first trooped their colour for the Queen in 1965. They are immediately

recognisable. Their buttons grouped Cameron, enjoying the sunshine, the

music and the Parade today. Surrounded by some African leaders,

including the President of Tanzania, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria, they are

all there. It is part of a conference before the G8 talks which

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

are taking place in Northern Ireland Colonel Dino Bosi, and the Major of

the Parade, Major Henry Bettinson. A change of music tells you that these

are Men Of Harlech. This is the the Queen. That's the Flourish. Then

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

they will Recover, or raise the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the

Prince of Wales and the three Royal Colonels. The music now changes to

the Grenadier Guards Slow March, MUSIC: "Scipio"

By Handel. This is the Scots Guards Slow Marsh,

Garb of Auld Gaul. -- Slow March, Garb of Auld Gaul.

The Slow March of the Coldstream Guards, Figaro. The Adjutant of the

Parade is Captain Christopher Davies of the Welsh Guards, who joined in

2007. He's completed two tours in Dino Bosi, riding out to salute the

Queen. The sword is drawn, but it's a special form of salute which

conveys no threat at all to Her Majesty. A neutral Slow March this

time, Thievish Magpie, taken from Household Cavalry had no operational

tours in 2012. The regiment is now committed again, with a third of its

force in Afghanistan. The Irish Guards there, too. Many of those

seen at the Queen's Birthday Parade last year are in Afghanistan today.

Given the timetable for withdrawal, this could be their last deployment

there. We spoke to some of them in the past few days. This time last

year, I was getting ready for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. That was

really good fun. We were on the forecourt with people on The Mall.

Trooping the Colour, the Diamond Jubilee and the Royal Wedding.

not every day you get to stand there and be in front of such a large

crowd. It is probably as hot in a tunic and bear kin as it is in body

armour. --Bearskin as it is in body armour. Best of luck from everyone

out here. We will be thinking of you. You are probably sweating as

much in a bearskin as we are in body armour. It is your day. Enjoy it.

Sit deep. Ride strong. Follow your lines. Drive them heels in strong.

It is a special day when the Queen comes out on parade. From the heat

of the desert, a real sense of pride, Major-General Sir Sebastian

Roberts. That pride shared by the families here today? You are right.

The families here today supporting the soldiers on parade and there is

no question when one is away on operation, the thing that matters

most is that you have the support of your own family and the people all

soldiers serve. To see crowds filled with families here is moving and

are ready to march past in quick time. The tempo increases. A new

sense of energy now. The Neutral MUSIC: "The Champion"

a time to reflect on the profile and the status of the Armed Forces. And

events in recent weeks have given us a sharp focus on that, too? Indeed.

I spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Dino Bosi, the Field Officer, two weeks'

ago. He was amazed, as was the rest of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards by

the reaction of the local population at their barracks in Hounslow to the

appalling killing of Drummer Lee Rigby. They were festooned, their

gates, with floral tributes from all sections of a multi-national and

multi-ethnic community. He also said that he had been stunned by the

"meteoric reaction" of the locals in Hounslow to their return last year

from Afghanistan. That support is of enormous significance to every

soldier and to their families to know we have the support of the

nation in very evident and very with style. Given the reference you

made to the Welsh Guards earlier, viewers will be watching what about

-- wondering about the Irish Guards. My father was extremely good at

Rugby, your national sport, and he was a barbarian he was that good. I

could not play rugby to save my life. I did not want to be a

disappointment to him. I am sure you are modest. No, true! So I joined

the Regiment from my mothers side. This is the march of the Welsh

Guards. The Queen acknowledges the tells us it is the British

Grenadiers next. The 1st Battalion British Grenadier Guards. Now the

Scots Guards's quick march. That rising tune, Highland Laddie.

done. The Field Officer saluting the My first saw the troop when I was

three years old and I wanted to do what I am doing today. And it is

mere luck that I am able to do it. I feel hugely privileged to be able to

do that. It is the closest honour to the honour of commanding your

Battalion on operations, which I have also been able to do during my

time in command, so I am a very lucky man. Dino Bossi, his childhood

dream. Sebastian, one as to say that is a huge ambition fulfilled.

Indeed. Quite a lot of us who have had a great honour to serve on this

parade and in these regiments have probably had our first dazed as

young children, watching this parade, here at horse guards and on

the television, and I know it was probably the beginning of my

ambition as well so I absolutely share what Dino Bosso has just said

and I am sure it applies to many hundreds of people involved today.

Pleased with the result so far? believe so. I've is just reflecting

that the shade of that Welsh wizard David Lord George can be pretty

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

pleased with what he helped to Quick march. The Colour is now taken

right breast. -- dress. Massed Bands, moved to the right. Right

The foot guards have reformed. We have cool weather for the horses.

The Massed Bands move away, clearing the way for the Mounted Bands. The

drum horses are the only horses to hold the rank of officer. They are

majors. They are owned by Her Majesty the Queen. Big, heavy

horses, Shire or Clydesdale. They need to carry the weight of those

heavy kettledrums. Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry move to the

North side of Horse Guards Parade, by Major Paul Wilman, Riding Arial,

to ride a horse and play at the same time. As you know, horses are not

always perfectly behaved. Last year poor Achilles, one of the drum

horses for the guards, had to be removed. We thought he was

misbehaving, but in fact he was stung by a bumblebee. And the 16th

year that the Kings Troop has been on parade. They joined the ceremony

by request from the royal family. They first took part in 1998. Very

impressive sight. And a high standard riding in the Kings Troop.

Many of them compete in eventing, team chasing and showjumping.

Looking back on the history of the Kings Troop, you will find it

includes the Olympic gold medallist the King strip in August 2011. It is

his second time an parade as commanding officer. -- the Kings

acknowledges. They are the Colour of the Kings Troop. They are the real

thing, used in action in the great War. Only 25 of these in existence

today worldwide. The Troop itself has kept the title Kings Troop on

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

the order of the Queen in memory of They date back to 1969 when the

Royal Horseguards, the blues, were amalgamated with the Royals, to form

the new regiment, the Blues and Royals. There Colonel is the

Princess Royal. The farriers dressed in their dark blue tunics with

glinting actors. Adam Bliss from the Lifeguards joined the Army eight

years ago and he has been a farrier Prentice what the last three years,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

due to qualify in January. -- see everyone trying to maintain a

steady sitting trot, the most comfortable gate. Good control from

is riding Lucy, and over 24 months, she has been very lucky recovering

from a life-threatening leg injury and a suspected temporary blindness.

As you can see, she is now in fine health. Her Majesty the Queen with

her great knowledge of horses, and also her affection for them,

watching carefully. There are 75 on the Troop this year. And they

include Harlequin, given to the Troop by the Queen last year. Only

five years old, so he has come a long way and this is his first

Household Cavalry, we will find Ink spot, adored by Troopers in

particular. If you bear your teeth at him, he bears his back, but not

aggressively! You will probably get Wilman salute in their special way,

the kettledrummers crossing their sticks as they pass the saluting

base. Among the musicians, Corporal of Horse, Fraser Hurman, he was

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

telling me how much he was looking Director of Music will soon turn

inwards. That will signal he is handing back control to the Field

Officer and that the Household Cavalry is in position and settled.

FIELD OFFICER IN BRIGADE WAITING: Guards, Royal Salute, present arms.

# God save our gracious Queen. # Long live our noble Queen.

# God save the Queen. # Send her victorious.

# Happy and glorious. # Long to reign over us.

Guards, slow arms. Guards, in close order, left and right, dress.

Guards taking up their dress. It's accomplished with no word of command

Guard Guards will form three ranks. Form three ranks. Guards will

retire. About-turn. At the halt, by divisions, right form, quick march.

So the Guards closing up to reduce the length of the procession along

The Mall. The music is The Adjutant, Guards will advance. About-turn.

Guards on the Escort, form close Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant

Officer 1 Martin Topps, by the Guards, left dress.

The Left Guide of the Escort, Colour Sergeant Graham Roberts from Bangor

in North Wales, the Company Quartermaster Sergeant of the Prince

of Wales Company. At the far end of the Parade Ground, Garrison Sergeant

Major Bill Mott, he is making his way along to the Approach Road,

ready to give the signal that all is clear for the Royal Procession to

leave. This is his 11th Birthday Parade in this central role. He is

the eldest of three brothers. They've all served in the Welsh

Guards. The Field Officer will ask Her Majesty's permission to march

off to conclude this parade of 2013 in the 60th anniversary year of the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Your Majesty's Guards are ready to brings the formal part of the Parade

to an end. There is still plenty of colour and plenty of music to come.

We will be following the processions along The Mall, all the way down to

Buckingham Palace, where the crowds will be gathering right now, ready

for that balcony appearance and the fly-past. The Glass Coach being

brought back to Horse Guards. The Glass Coach was built in 1881, but

was bought in 1911 for the Coronation of King George V. It's

been used for many royal weddings since then. It is kept at Buckingham

Palace. Big windows, which allows spectators to see who is inside, so

it is a very useful vehicle on these occasions. Indeed, as the Queen

prepares to use the Glass Coach once again, it is worth remembering that

she and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled it on their wedding day in

1947. We are on The Mall. The first of the carriage processions are

returning to Buckingham Palace. In the first carriage, we have the

Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry. The

Duchess of Cambridge expecting her child next month. This is her last

public engagement today before the due date. Her last solo engagement

was earlier this week, she named a new cruise ship, Royal Princess, in

Southampton. Back on Horse Guards Parade, the signal has been received

that all is fine and the music to start and the Massed Bands to play.

The Guards now march off. Marching off to a selection of music named

Arms Park, which takes us back to the great days of the 1970s in rugby

terms - great days for me that is and other Welsh people! They include

Cameron, and some of their guests from the African Nations today. They

have been enjoying a great parade, led by the Welsh Guards. The Duke of

Kent, Colonel of the Scots Guards, has accompanied the Queen today to

the Parade. The Duke of Edinburgh is Approach Road towards The Mall.

Major-General Sir Sebastian Roberts is with me with some thoughts on the

end of the Parade and what that normally means for lots of the men

and women involved. Well, they still have to return to the end of The

Mall, to Buckingham Palace, and salute the Queen once more, before

making their way to Wellington Barracks and being dismissed. They

can all go confident that this has been a memorable Queen's Birthday

parade. I am tempted to say "Wales forever" has been resoundingly

proved by a magnificent parade on the part of all those Guards of the

Welsh Guards, Coldstream, Scots and Grenadiers, Household Cavalry and

the King's Troop. I think that they all deserve that lovely moment when

they remove their bearskins and helmets and can again relax. This

tradition of the monarch leading the Guards back to Buckingham Palace was

established by George V in 1914. The Parade at that time had become

increasingly popular so it was decided to provide an even more

impressive experience for thousands of spectators. That is why we see

this particular format today. It being played in a slightly more

jaunty way. The street liners, 200 of them, 1st Battalion Grenadier

Guards have been doing a good job today. Colonel James Bowder. A word

on them? It is one of the thankless tasks, unsung tasks, of every major

parade. They are known in the trade as the guttersnipe, those standing

in the gutter. That is where usually find myself, rather than standing on

this glorious square, and they have every respect and sympathy for those

who have spent a long time guarding the route. And framing that

magnificent view as the Queen returns to Buckingham Palace. One of

the world's great parades. Those street liners are an integral part

and have every reason to be enormously proud of themselves. Not

only the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, but every soldier in the

London district in that picture, and all of them can have enormous pride

in what they have taken part in today. A good moment for me to say

that the Queen's Birthday Parade is celebrated as a public holiday in

several Commonwealth countries. The exact date of the commemoration

varies, it has to be said. In Australia, it is celebrated as the

second Monday in June. In Western Australia it is slightly different,

late September or early October. The Canadians have a different way of

doing it. The public holiday on the Monday on or before the 4th of May,

Victoria Day. And malaise era, they performed their version of Trooping

the Colour on a Saturday in June. -- Malaysia. Instead of carriages, the

Royal Procession Blair is cards and limousines accompanied by a

motorcycle Escort instead of horses. -- the Royal Procession there is

cars and limousines. People looking carefully at the Birthday Honours

list today. The head of the Army is one of those receiving an honour

today. There are some members in the Household Division as well. We have

two Coldstream Guards as well. Two guards getting the MBE. And someone

closer to home, so the entire team wants to say well done and

congratulations to Clare Balding on her OBE. Thank you so much. It has

just been wonderful to walk through the crowds and people saying

congratulations, which is lovely. More importantly they have been here

since 7:15am this morning to get a good spot to watch the whole of the

Queen's Birthday Parade. At this point on the Mall the procession

comes past the two statues that mean more than anything else to the

Queen, that of her mother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and her

father, George VI. That was unveiled in 1955 and her mother in 2009. The

Queen was looking up at them as she came by and the crowds were cheering

madly of course. The wonderful sight of the Massed Bands. Resplendent in

lace, pretty much unchanged since 1865. As we enjoy these images,

joining us again in the BBC commentary box this year, the

author, commentator, Daily Mail writer, Robert Hardman. A very warm

welcome to you again. Thank you. Your impression so far? You referred

to it as a Birthday Parade, and it is nice to see the jauntiness. We

are at that point now where we all remember that it is a celebration.

This is in fact the 63rd, I think, Birthday Parade for the Queen, her

59th as monarch. Nobody on earth has seen it as often as she has, but she

will be impressed by the spectacle we have seen today. Every yard of

this grand ceremonial route along the Mall designed by Sir Aston Webb

in the early 20th century is of course lame to the Queen. It is

featured in every great event in her reign. And she travelled along it on

her wedding day in November, 1947, and vast crowds were cheering them.

And the royal weddings in the decades that have followed, it has

been a feature. Also on more sombre occasions, like a father's funeral

in 1952 and her mother's. And every year, the principal route. It was

decorated with massive correlation arches in the 50s, and the parade

was held in the 50s. Otherwise it has not changed and that is probably

one of the explanations for its enduring appeal.

Her Majesty the Queen attends the traditional ceremony of the Trooping

the Colour. The Massed Bands lead Coronation at his passes the parade.

-- under the arches passes the weather today. The sunshine has been

peeping through. A little bit of cloud but pretty good conditions as

Sebastian was telling us earlier. Otherwise over the years, apart from

the change of day from Thursday to Saturday, very few things that would

mark it out as being different in 2013 compared to 1953. The crowds

then perhaps a little more formally dressed. Probably fewer tourists

then compared to today, and there are plenty today. But otherwise many

constant features. That is why it is popular. People come to see familiar

sights, familiar uniforms, and glass coach making its way now right

along the Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Why don't you tell us what

we should be expecting at this stage? As they continue down the

Mall they will be preparing the guards to go home to their barracks.

But the major participants will all be joining now to gather in

Buckingham Palace to have a deserved drink. And then to watch the flypast

of the royal Air Force. And that the Major-General and the Field Officer

in Brigade Waiting, a quick debrief from the Queen, whose birthday is

celebrated. As you have said, she has been on more of these parades

than anybody else on earth. And she has a renowned eagle eye. And she

will comment. I'm sure out of this one her comments will be enormously

positive. I suppose the question is whether she makes critical comments?

Well, I have known it, but always very forgiving. Remember my first

year on the parade, young trooping the Lifeguards lost his helmet as

they were trotting past. And he was obviously very embarrassed. His

commander was worried that he would get a rocket. The Queen observed

wasn't it a good thing that he had around the Queen Victoria Memorial.

The Queen accompanied by the Duke of Kent, today, just reminding us that

the Duke of Edinburgh is probably watching the parade in a London

clinic, Robert. Yes, sadly His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh

cannot be here today. It is not the first time he has missed it. There

have been a couple of occasions during the Queen's reign when he has

been abroad an official business. That was in 1968, the last time. The

Duke of Kent was invited to join her today. And it is a very fine site,

too. Normally the Duke of Edinburgh would be presiding at the Colonels

dinner the night before. Indeed, yes. When the Colonels joined the

Royal and the non-royal to look forward to the future. It is known

as the Senior Colonels Conference. He was deputised by the Colonel of

the Welsh Guards last night. It is at that conference that important

matters like who will be Trooping the Colour next year and so on are

discussed and arranged. We can see all the members of the royal family

on the balcony. One of the great, the largest assemblies of the royal

family in public every year. It is a great pity that the Duke of

Edinburgh is not there but everybody else's. This will be the last

occasion that we see the Duchess of Cambridge, as you pointed out. Here

come the Royal Colonels, the other members of the family, the Princess

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

Royal, the Duke of Wales and the just cameras and mobile phones but

all kinds of tablets and the rest of it being used to record images and

video, too. One of the features of these public events now. Many

thousands and in some cases millions of individual records of these great

royal family on the balcony. It doesn't really invite us to think

about the future, too. Indeed. We will soon have that great moment

when the Queen can look, as it were, three rains ahead. When her hair,

regardless of sex, will be in line for the throne. We see extended

members of the family coming out onto the balcony. Lady Helen Taylor

in the background and the Duchess of the Countess of Wessex. The first

time she has written in the carriage. A very exciting day for

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry. This is the last time we will

see the Duchess of Cambridge appearing in public ahead of the

birth of the baby next month. For many other members of the family, we

are entering the busiest period of the year, because next week we have

the great ceremonial events, and at the beginning of July the entire

court goes to the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh for Scottish

engagements there. Very much a Birthday Parade but also the start

of some great royal traditions, the grace to stop -- the greatest of the

year in fact. The Queen celebrated her 87th birthday in April this

year, and of course that is the distinction. That was the actual

birthday and this is the official birthday, celebrated in mid-June. A

tradition established by Edward VII in the early 20th century. His

birthday fell in November and he did not really fancy the prospect of big

parades in November. So that the Life Guards, leading the Mounded

bands kettledrummers saluting in their usual way. The Queen takes

salute in front of the Palace. Her Majesty will retire for a few

minutes. And then she will reappear on the balcony in a short while

Majesty before she returns to the Glass Coach before the final Royal

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

# God save our gracious Queen. # Long live our noble Queen.

# God save the Queen. # Send her victorious.

# Happy and glorious. # Long to reign over us.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE So, the Queen returns home, back

into Buckingham Palace. In a short while, Her Majesty will be leading

members of the Royal Family back out on to the balcony. They will all

reappear ready for the fly-past by the Royal air fors. They will be

joined by many thousands of people who -- the Royal Air Force. They

will be joined by many thousands of people who are making their way

along The Mall. Many of them might well reflect on the workload of an

87-year-old monarch who has dealt with mountains of Government papers,

advised 12 Prime Ministers, and travelled the world representing the

know not how, my parents scraped together enough money to buy a tiny

black-and-white television. The whole street crowded in. The living

room was packed with people. As the youngest person present, I was the

tea maker. Even in the pouring rain, thousands of families waving their

flags and shouting out, "Hooray!" was incredible. We were carried

away. We didn't notice the rain until it was all over. A sea of

faces and waving of flags and tremendous cheering. We are so

fortunate in this country to have the Queen as head of state, who has

done such a fantastic job for the last 61 years. Long may that

continue. Ceremonials are an important part of that. We are known

for our ceremonial the world over, the brilliant way in which we carry

it out. The Queen is committed to regular patterns within our national

life. Commonwealth Day, the Maundy Service. They are very important.

She is representing the nation by her presence in a very powerful way

for the nation as a whole. advantage of the ceremonial for the

State Opening of Parliament, there are two-thirds of the people present

who have done it before. That makes it run much more smoothly. Of

course, the linchpin of the whole ceremony is the Queen, who has done

it for 60 years. She is an expert. We are very lucky to have her there.

To get a decent seat, you have to be in two-and-a-half hours before she

arrives. It is amazing, you know, seeing her come in. It is an

incredibly special moment. It is a huge privilege to be part of

something which I think is so uniquely British. Her Majesty is so

good at carrying out her role. We forget how much work she does, what

she puts into the role. If you imagine as a young lady, since the

time of Winston Churchill, every day during that period she has a longer

experience of state papers and Government than anyone else alive.

No-one can match what she has seen. It is discipline that has driven her

right from 1947 and her commitment to what she was going to do for us.

I declare that my life shall be devoted to your service. Many people

wonder what motivates the Queen. I have not a shred of doubt about what

it is. It is duty. I don't think anything will ever change that.

NEWSREEL: His Majesty was accompanied by Princess Elizabeth...

It goes back to her upbringing. She was so well briefed by her father.

She spent hours and hours with her father, who discussed everything.

She would say, "My father told me this. He did it that way." That is

the basis of her knowledge. She has built on that. She's amazing. Her

Majesty knows the questions to ask. When there's 150 people being

awarded, that is a huge number of people to remember what they have

done. She just makes everybody feel very relaxed, very welcome and

hugely special. When you see the Queen at Windsor Horse Show, you

understand what an informal and private event to her and the Duke of

Edinburgh it really is. They can wander around their back garden and

nobody bothers them. They are amongst like-minded souls. It is a

very informal experience for everybody. The Queen has an empathy.

If you sit down and talk to her privately, you will be surprised how

much she knows of what is going on in everyone's life. It always starts

off very formal. That is what you expect. Then you find that Her

Majesty's so relaxed, you sometimes almost get carried away and start

asking questions. She is wonderful. She has a terrific sense of humour.

I remember once at Sandringham when the photographers were told by the

picture editors not to harass the Queen. The Queen turned up with her

dogs, got out of the Range Rover and she said to an aide, "Why are they

not taking any pictures?" He said, "Well, they have been told they must

not harass you." She said, "I don't know what is worse, being harassed

or being ignored!" LAUGHTER It is fantastic when you see Her Majesty

on the saluting base. You go another two inches, your chest goes another

four -- you grow another two inches, your chest grows another four

inches. Forever entwined. One voice. As members of the Armed Forces, we

serve for Queen and country, not for any one Government or political

party. It is Her Majesty that is our Commander-in-Chief and, therefore,

it is right when she leads the nation's tribute at the Cenotaph on

Remembrance Sunday. Most people would think at 87 and 92, that the

Queen and the Duke had every reason to say, "I have done my bit." But

they are still working on behalf of all of us. We have this anchor that

is there and all the changes that have taken place with technology and

so on. All that time as an anchor we have had the Queen. Throughout her

reign, she has carried out the role with great dignity, Majesty and

great love for this country and our people. We are extremely lucky to

have her and long may she go on being Queen. Wherever you go around

the world, if people speak of THE Queen, they mean OUR Queen. Her

status is recognised everywhere. would love to give her a hug, but

I'm probably not allowed. Me and thousands of others, just to say

thank you. She is there as a figurehead, as a leader, as somebody

who sets a tone and, for our nation, that is really important. The proof,

if you needed it, that the Birthday to young and old. Last year, the

Diamond Jubilee year, there was a vast crowd here for the Birthday

Parade. This year, in the 60th anniversary year of the Coronation,

it looks pretty impressive, too. Robert Hartman and Major-General Sir

Sebastian Roberts are still with me here. It is worth noting, Robert,

that, at this stage, people are beginning to think about the way the

younger Royals can share some of that burden. We are seeing some

examples of that already? Yes, we are seeing a young younger -- we are

seeing younger members of the family taking on some of the major roles.

It will be the Prince of Wales who stands in for the Queen at the

Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The Queen is very much -

she's been very busy this week. She has held a meeting with the Privy

Council. Other members of the family have stood in when the Duke of

Edinburgh was needed. There is a big gathering of engineers at the Palace

for the Engineering Awards. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will be there

to talk to the crowds as well. So, I think we will see sensible

delegation carrying on throughout the summer until His Royal Highness

the Duke of Edinburgh is back on his feet. Last month, we saw the Prince

of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall attending the State Opening of

Parliament together for the first time, too. I don't think the Prince

of Wales has been there since 1996. We will come back to that in a

moment. We are in Green Park, the King's Troop preparing to fire their

salute. Today's will be a 41-Gun Salute. The ceremonial season has

included Royal Salutes to mark the accession to the throne, the Queen's

abbing shul birthday, the Queen's Coronation, the anniversary last

Monday -- the Queen's actual birthday, the Queen's Coronation,

the anniversary was last Monday. It is taking place in Green Park, that

is a Royal Park. They add 20 to the number which brings you to a 41-Gun

Edward and he will give the orders as they fire the salute. The

interval between each round of fire is ten seconds. It is normally

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

but apparently they were just getting ready. The Royal Salute will

be fired in a few minutes time. We will go back to Green Park when that

happens. The crowd is now gathering in tens of thousands outside

Buckingham Palace. Robert, we were just saying a short while ago that

there were several examples of the burden being shared. Yes, and we

will see that carrying on. The court will go up to Edinburgh to Holyrood

House for that week of Scottish events and the royal family will

help the Queen with those events. She has been doing those things

longer than anyone. She very much knows the ropes. Now we are seeing

some of the crowds coming in here. It could start raining but I don't

think it will dampen the spirits. I have been in that crowd a number of

times and you meet an extraordinary number of people. One man flies in

every year from Australia just to be here. And I'm at the couple from

Canada who do the same. -- I met a couple. A few umbrellas and I am

just wondering what the atmosphere is like in that room behind the

balcony. It is the most extraordinary atmosphere. Many of

the people have been spectators and suddenly into that room, those who

have been participants, the Royal cannons and one or two of the other

players. I think there is an air of coming off stage. Then the plaudits

and the constructive criticisms are handed out. I have had links pointed

out to me for which I have been responsible which will not occur

again. But the atmosphere generally is one of enormous pleasure and

pride in a magnificent celebration. It is also a very rare day off of

sorts for the Queen. In that film we saw her going through the red boxes,

which pursue her around the country and around the world, every day of

the year. Her private secretary told me that she gets two days off,

Christmas Day and her birthday. So no red boxes tonight. It is also

when they hand out a complimentary glass of wine for lunch for members

of the royal household, so I'm sure there will be a party atmosphere in

the staff dining room later. should also add that there are

carrots for the horses in the see a few umbrellas up, which is a

little sad towards the end of this. I don't think it will affect the

enjoyment of the flypast, because whether it is raining or there is

sunshine, it is incredibly impressive. I've said there would be

200 aircraft in the flypast today. I think we will be a little

unlucky... Excuse me. No Spitfire or hurricane, but there will be a

an enormous crowd building up on the Mall and it is reminiscent of what

we saw at the Diamond Jubilee last year. Standing by in Green Park, the

Kings Troop, ready to fire the Royal Salute. Let's join Clare Balding.

With me is the Adjutant, Captain John Gibson. The Queen visited you

two years ago for -- two weeks ago. Yes, she came to Woolwich Barracks

to present operational medals to two soldiers and to meet the horses.

will be firing a salute shortly and also a special one next month.

Absolutely, historically on the birth of the Royal Prince and

Princess we will fire within a certain time period to mark at

birth. A significant event which we are looking forward to. And a

special presentation after it? Yes, the first part which case fired will

be presented to the proud parents. How have things been going today?

think things have been going very well and we are in position to fire

now and we look forward to it. can you relax and enjoy the day or

are you under pressure? I rode on parade last year, which was a great

deal more pressure. Today, once the planning is done, it goes like

clockwork and you know what will happen and it is fantastic to be

part. Timing is being precise, that Royal Salute will be at 12:52pm. And

a special salute for the birth of the royal baby as well, which we

expect to be next month. Nothing excites the nation so as the birth

Buckingham Palace that Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth,

Duchess of Edinburgh, was safely delivered of a Prince at 9:14pm.

cameraman secured these latest pictures of Prince Charles beginning

one of his daily outings in the together again to celebrate

is tonight sleeping in his cot at home. Was it a very painful

experience? Have you ever had a baby? No, I haven't.Why should wait

and see! The new printable one day inherit, if not the earth, then the

United Kingdom. -- the new Prince will one day inherit. The Prince of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

by the Kings Troop is well under little more sunshine, thankfully,

many thousands of people, making their way down from Admiralty Arch

in the general direction of Horse Guards Parade. Through St James'

Park down towards Buckingham Palace. The great expanse of the Mall down

towards the Queen Victoria Memorial, glinting in the sunshine today.

Robert Hardman, there will be lots of people wondering when they see

the entire family the balcony, they will be looking at Prince William,

wondering what the next month will bring for him and his growing

family, and what the future holds. It is a very busy time for Prince

William and the Duchess with the baby due next month. He have to make

a decision very soon on what he does next. His three-year period as a

search and rescue pilot with the RAF in Anglesey comes to a close in

September. He have to decide whether he wants to renew that. He can do

another three-year rotation. You might choose to take on another role

within the Armed Forces. He has a third role option which would be to

leave the armed forces and take up full-time royal duties. We are

awaiting an announcement on that. People will be much more interested

in and another -- in another announcement that will be made next

month to the Commonwealth and the world. A good moment to underline

the very important and significant piece of legislation which changed

the succession rules. Absolutely. This child, boy or girl, will

automatically be third in line to the throne. That really does usher

in an entirely new era for real succession. Through history we have

been far more predisposed toward having Kings, we have had far more

Kings than half a dozen or so Queens, but the odds would seem to

be an 50-50. We might have many more queens and many more days like

today. Boy or girl, one day many years into the future that baby will

be experiencing the events that we see here today. They know that

within a few seconds the Queen and members of the royal family will be

appearing on that famous balcony. And that will tell them that the

five passed by the Royal Air Force -- the flypast by the Royal Air

Force will be just a few moments away because these things are timed

precisely. I was saying that because of volatile weather conditions,

notably the wind, the Spitfire and the Hurricane will not be with us,

but we are hoping to see a Lancaster as part of the RAF Memorial flight.

They will be towards the front sections of the flypast when we have

it. There will be some impressive elements following that. And the Red

Arrows, of course, will be the climax of the flypast, as they

always are. A very important year for the Lancaster of course. The

70th anniversary of the dambusters so it will take a prominent place.

And the Queen, with huge cheers, leading the royal family onto the

balcony. Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry,

still very much a captain in the Royal Army Air Corps. The Duke of

York, the Duchess of Cornwall on the left. And all the rest of the family

filing into place. This is one if not the biggest appearance of the

royal family. And if we look in the distance, we might see the

aeroplanes. The 95th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. We think 30

aircraft, 30 different types. Eight elements, 30 seconds apart. The

first element, the support helicopter force. Currently

providing vital equipment for forces City of London, across central

London, down the Mall, over Buckingham Palace and then out

towards West London. And there, the lovely sight of the Lancaster. Part

of the RAF Memorial Flight. One of only two airworthy Lancasters still

going. One in Canada and this one. Very well looked after in

Lincolnshire. Broad smiles from the Queen. We normally see the Lancaster

with the Hurricane and the Spitfire, but we are happy to see just the

Lancaster today representing they RAF Memorial Flight. The third

element, Tornadoes. The 70th anniversary of the famous dambusters

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 62 seconds

these based at Brize Norton. You cannot convey the thundering noise

of this flypast making its way over central London and over Horse

VC10. The Tri-Star is carrying 50 air cadets as passengers, so a great

massive Voyager and two Tornado aeroplanes and two Typhoons. The

Voyager will replace the Tri-Star force. The biggest commission ever

The Royal Air Force aerobatics team. Nine Hawk T1s of the Red Arrows. A

magnificent sight in red, white and blue over Buckingham Palace for the

and cheering. In this, the 60th anniversary year of the Coronation

in 1953. She looks very happy. Prince Harry looking an and the

Duchess of Cambridge smiling, too. She is preparing for a very

important month ahead. The Royal Standard flying in the breeze about

Buckingham Palace. The Queen and three generations of the royal

family making their way back into the Palace. The Birthday Parade of

2013 is at an end. Another superb display on Horse Guards, led by the

Welsh Guards and an equally impressive display by the Royal Air

Force to round off the events. Don't forget, you can enjoy it all again.