2014 Trooping the Colour

birthday is celebrated with the ceremony of Trooping the Colour. The

parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along the Mall, to Horse

Guards Parade and back again. Rousing music, immaculate drill and

spend did colour, stand-by for the Queen's Birthday Parade.

2014, a remember of notable events, we have commemorated the 70th

anniversary of D-Day and we are preparing to mark the centenary of

the outbreak of the Great War. A blend, if you like, of past,

present, and indeed, future in the shape of today's escort found by

Nijmegan Company Grenadier Guards. Many of the Guardsmen are new

recruits. In fact, the officers and Guardsmen in the Escort today, it is

their first time on Horse Guards for the Queen's Birthday Parade. Some

8,000 people are watching the ceremony today. Many of them have

applied successfully for tickets. It is a competitive process. They are

joined by diplomats from Commonwealth States and beyond along

with military leaders, and senior ministers, heads of the armed forces

are here, not just from the UK, but from the USA and other countries

too. The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond and other Cabinet

colleagues. Mag nificent sight along the Mall,

decked with Union Flags to celebrate the Queen's birthday. The street

liners were involved on Horse Guards last year when the 1st Battalion

Welsh Guards trooped their colour with great style. A look at

Buckingham Palace. The Mounted Bands, the Sovereign's Escort

waiting there to accompany the Queen and other members of the Royal

Family to Horse Guards. This year, once again, we are providing full

coverage of today's parade on BBC One and we will be staying on air to

see the balcony appearance and the big fly-past and there is continuous

unedited coverage for you on the Red Button. I'm delighted to say we have

a new member of the BBC team at Trooping the Colour, Suzi Perry is a

the Royal Mews seeing how they put the finishing touches to the

preparations. Well, it is calm down here. This is Philippa, she is the

Coachman, the first female Coachman at Buckingham Palace. She is

beavering away polishing the saddle and they have spent weeks preparing

and they have to polish because the heat plays havoc with the brass.

Sheer are the Cleveland bays that will be pulling the carriages later

on. They are taking part in the parade. This is Perth, Stephen is

putting the last touches to him. They have been out this morning for

their ride, but it is very calm which is good because the horses

pick up, of course, on the atmosphere, but they're certainly

ready down here. Back with Suzi later. Someone who understands every

twist and turn of today's ceremony is my special guest, Brigadier

Roland Walker. There he is commanding the parade in 2010. That

was the last time the Grenadier Guards trooped their colour on Horse

Guards. Your Majesty's Guards are ready to march off now. That was

four years ago. Today, he is with me in the commentary position high

above the Parade Ground. Roland, welcome to you. What are you looking

forward to? Well, thank you very much, Huw. I'm looking to watching

this from the comfort of your commentary box and seeing it again.

My memory was quite a blur because we had just come back from

Afghanistan and as you will see, it generally all happens behind you

when you are in charge. So I'm excited for the troops on parade and

for their families watching. It is a big day for them. A chance to show

their respect for the sovereign in front of such an impressive audience

of We look forward to it. Let me say, all Guardsmen joining the

Grenadiers begin their careers in Nijmegan Company. The majority of

those in today's escorts are new recruits. We joined them a few

months ago for their first parade rehearsal as they began to

understand the demands of taking rehearsal as they began to

finishing school. 17 and 18 years old, turning up and into a battalion

of 600 men can be extremely difficult. Some of the

of 600 men can be extremely two or three days ago, they

of 600 men can be extremely taken down to the clothing

of 600 men can be extremely they are pass add bearskin. --

passed a bearskin. They have got me screaming and shouting at them. We

are keeping it at today. I joined Nijmegan Company six

weeks ago. It was a shock to the system going from a month to doing

this. expect mistakes. I'm not going to

shout at you. It is better to get it wrong now than get it wrong on the

day. We're here and there wrong now than get it wrong on the

point in crying about it. Let's get on with it. A five minute break.

That's all we had and straightaway you forgot it. It is all about

giving 100% and being keen at all times. It is hard work and

determination. You must keep up with the front-line. You get the few

arguments here and there. Someone stepped on my boot. Being the

front-line it makes me nervous and you need to be switched on at all

times. Everything has got to be pitch perfect. It has gone wrong at

that end. There will be a bit of pressure on the day especially when

Her Majesty is sat only a few meters away from you, but it is an honour.

I always wanted to be part of the Queen's Birthday Parade and here I

am. The first one they do, they will be the Escort. They will probably

never be the Escort again in their Army career. That makes me extremely

proud and it should make them extremely proud as well. Get away.

Get away. And they're standing proudly with

their men, is Colonel Sergeant Major Brooks. The Escort are provided by

Nijmegan Company, Grenadier Guards. A very prominent Grenadier Guards on

Horse Guards this year. No 7 Company, Coldstream Guards providing

number six guard and next to them number five guard provided by F

Company Scots Guards. The Irish Guards have musicians in the Massed

Bands. Over 200 Irish Guards men deployed in Cyprus. They sent us

this message. From all soldiers in the 1st

Battalion Irish Guards, we would like to wish the soldiers on the

Queen's Birthday Parade today all the best of luck. Have a gleaming

parade. Three cheers for Her Majesty. Hip-hip. Hooray. Hip-hip.

Hooray. Three cheers from Cyprus. The officer commanding today's

parade is the Field Officer in brigade waiting, Charles Broughton.

He has been talking to Suzi. 18 years of service and here you are on

your first ever Birthday Parade and you are commanding it. Anything you

feel anxious about? We are as well prepared as we can, I'm concerned my

voice won't hold out. You are in good hands with Winston, all 6.1 one

of them. He is a dab hand at this? He has done the parade eight times.

Six as a regimental horse, he knows the parade better than I do. He can

go up steps? He has done that numerous times. But it is his last

one. This is his last parade and his last day in the Army. Well, let's

hope it is a good one. How proud do you feel to be doing this today?

Immensely. To be in front of 1300 troops and Her Majesty, the Queen,

is a day in the life. I know your daughters are watching. Good luck

and have a fantastic day. Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you. Back on horse Guinness Book Horse Guards, the Colour Party

is in place. A great honour to be selected for a central role in the

parade. The sergeant of the escort is Sergeant Gregory Mann. The colour

being trooped today is the Queen's colour, Nijmegan Company Grenadier

Guards. One of those hard won honours for the Battle of Nijmegan.

It is # 70 years ago that the Grenadiers fought to liberate the

Dutch town. I was a regular soldier before the

war. I joined in 1938. We didn't land until after D-Day and the first

battle we had was near Cannes. We never had a bale before. -- battle

before. None of us enjoyed it. I think we got better after that and

we became really a good battalion. All the other bridges up to Nijmegan

were taken easily by the airborne troops and it was a bit of a mess.

We were supposed to go straight through and over the bridge to

Arnhem, but when we arrived there, the bridge had not been taken and it

was quite clear that they were prepared to blow it up rather than

for us to come over, but the man who was really splendid was the Sergeant

Robinson who went over in the first tank. He was a splendid man and over

he went and I don't know, I was in the fourth tank or something. I felt

I was near enough to Sergeant Robinson to get into trouble if the

bridge did go up. So much of the war, you never saw the end product

of what you did, but our end product was two bridges and really a

successful battle. I think it was a good Grenadier occasion. The

Nijmegan Company is called that and I think they are splendid. I really

do. I think it is rather nice to think that you know, it is a very

minor skirmish, but at least it is remembered after all these years.

Lord Carrington, the former Foreign Secretary, sharing his memories of

the Battle of Nijmegan and almost 6,000 mems of the household --

members of the Household Division lost their lives. The memorial

damaged during the Blitz and the war, much of the damage left

unrepaired as a powerful reminder of the losses. Buckingham Palace, the

first Royal Procession is about to leave for Horse Guards.

The first carriage, the Duchess Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of

Cambridge and Prince Harry too. Making their way around the Queen

Victoria Memorial and past Canada Gate and St James' Park, the second

carriage, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex and the Countess of

Wessex too. In the third carriage, the Duke of Kent and

Wessex too. In the third carriage, Princess Alexandra. The crowds are

gathered already near Buckingham Palace. They are waiting for the

fly-past later on, but obviously enjoying this first Royal

Procession. Of course, as we see the first carriage here and the Duchess

of Cambridge, we're thinking of this time last year, tremendous

excitement at the prospect of a royal birth and just over a month

after last year's parade, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcoming

their first child, Prince George of Cambridge. He was born on 22nd July.

Prince Harry, who turns 30, in a few months time on the 15th September.

So the red surface of the Mall up to Admiralty Arch and a lovely green

expanse of St James' Park there. Field officers trumpeter of the

sovereign's escort. This is the 62nd year of the Queen's rain, it has

been a busy time for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. In the past

few weeks, --. The Royal Colonels the Duke of Edinburgh. In the past

Salute in their way as well. The Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of

Wales and the Princess Royal. In the past few weeks, the Queen has

attended the State Opening of Parliament, there has been the

attended the State Opening of visit to France, very successful,

and the D-Day Commemorations, with the full schedule continuing into

next week with the Garter ceremony on Monday. The Queen, who celebrated

her 88th birthday on April the 21st, quietly at Windsor. Today's events

on a much grander scale, and a celebration of her official

birthday. Today, the Queen and the Duke, travelling in this cabbage,

the first time we have seen it -- travelling in this carriage. They

used the glass coach last year. The first three cabbages in the

procession making good progress now along the Mall, past the cheering

crowds as they prepare to turn onto the Approach Road and travel down to

Horse Guards Parade itself. Lots of MPs yesterday cheering from

the Youth Enclosure, which is just to the right of these images. We

will see more of them in a short while.

The Duchess of Cornwall was also commemorating the D-Day

Commemorations last week, meeting the veterans of the Glider Pilot

Regiment. We have more than 1100 young people in the Youth

Enclosure. Some of them from Stirling, some from Pontypridd, this

year. The formation has changed, No three Court has opened up, ready to

welcome the first of the world guests.

When the first of the cabbages passes on to the parade ground, the

bands will play the National Anthem. Prince Harry saluting on Horse

Guards Parade, he has retained the rank of captain in Household

Calvary. Wearing his Diamond Jubilee and Afghanistan medals as well. The

cabbages approaching the Horse Guards building, where the Royal

party will watch the parade. They have the best vantage point to see

what is going on. At this point in the preparations, looking ahead to

the Queen's arrival, Roland, how did you feel at this point? There is no

going back from this point. You know they are on their way, you can hear

the cabbages and the horses clattering down the Mall. I was

rehearsing all the lines over and over again.

Such an impressive sight along the Mall. The sovereign 's escort

leading her major e-commerce the Duke of Edinburgh, to the parade

ground. The brigade major leading the way, Simon Soskin of the

Grenadier Guards. Troopers of the blues and royals. They are leading

the way. The brigade major is responsible for delivering state

ceremonial and public duties in London. His second Queen's Birthday

Parade, after becoming the parade major in 2012. He is riding Oscar.

The Mounted Bands, the Household Calvary, one of the great from

horses. They will be really performing later, they have a

starring role today. Captain David Hammond, the director of music for

The Mounted Bands. His first Queen's Birthday Parade. A great honour. But

quite a challenge for him, too. We have four divisions of the sovereign

's escort. The 1st and 2nd divisions provided this year by the blues and

royals. Their distinctive plumes and tunics, the state helmet gleaming,

they are designed I Prince Albert, back in 1842.

Then, the 3rd and 4th divisions of the sovereign 's escort. Provided by

the Life Guards, a splendid sight in there eventually next and white

plumes, the senior regiment of the British Army, the roots going back

to 1660, Charles II, at the time of the monarchy.

The Head Coachman, Mark Hargreaves. It is remarkable, to realise the

Queen first took part in 1947, at 21, the first parade after the war,

writing as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. She had a first reviewed

detachments of all six battalions at Windsor Castle on her 16th birthday.

The Duke of Edinburgh, he celebrated his 93rd birthday in the past week.

The Grenadier Guards. That is a position he has held since March

1975. The uniform of the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. He was

visiting the 1st Battalion at Aldershot, he presented long service

and good conduct medals and posed for the odd photograph. He enjoyed

his strong link with the regiment. The Mounted Bands of the Household

Calvary, 50 men, 51 horses. The musicians wearing state dress, the

embroidered gold tunic with the dark blue jockey cap.

The Head Coachman making sure that the Queen is arriving in comfort and

on time. the Queen is arriving in comfort and

hand horse is Daniel. He is very experienced, his seventh birthday

parade as Head Coachman. The cheers filling the air from the

Youth Enclosure. The cheers filling the air from the

participants enjoying the pageantry and colour and music. The boys

Brigade, girls Brigade, guides and scouts.

The Queen is wearing an outfit by Angela Kelly, first worn on the

state visit to Australia three days ago, a powder blue satin silk

outfit, wearing the approach of the big aid of guards. The Head Coachman

leads the way on to Horse Guards Parade, towards the building for the

birthday parade of 2014. Standing with dignity, the Chelsea

Pensioners, their combined age, 832 years, the oldest being 92.

Pensioners, their combined age, 832 are 11 of them. The coachman will

salute the colour with the whip. One of several forms of salute we will

see today, and then the three Royal Colonels Salute Inc as they pass.

The Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, followed

by the two nonroyal kernels, Lord Guthrie and James Buchan.

The Queen's birthday parade is about to begin at the stroke of 11am. She

will step onto the saluting base, the Royal standard will be unfurled

and the field officer will be his command -- give his command for the

national anthem to be played. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Broughton

preparing to order the Royal Salute. Well, the Queen's first duty is to

inspect her troops and to do that, there is going to be some rousing

music. A new Senior Director of Music this year, Wayne Hopler of the

Irish Guards. The first piece he is going to conduct is composed by a

former band member of the Coldstream Guards.

The music changes to first finest -- the music changes to First Finest.

The title First Finest reflecting the pride in the regiment.

The sovereign standard of the Blues and Royals. The Queen presented new

standards to the Household Cavalry at the end of May on Horse Guards.

It only happens once a decade. The Coachman saluting the sovereign's

standard. The Royal Colonels too. And the non-Royal Colonels. The

King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery ready for their dramatic appearance

on the Parade Ground later on. The lead gun

on the Parade Ground later on. The Colour. Equal to the colour

on the Parade Ground later on. The trooped today which is why it is

saluted. Colour. Equal to the colour being

trooped today which is why it Major General commanding the Household

Division is Major General Smyth-Osbourne. Then Commanding

Officer in the Household Cavalry and he commanded Prince William

Officer in the Household Cavalry and Prince Harry when they joined the

Household Division. It is a huge Prince Harry when they joined the

honour to be involved in Prince Harry when they joined the

Birthday Parade, not least because as a parade, it captures the essence

for many of the Army. But it is also for me a personal

for many of the Army. But it is also back to command an organisation that

I joined over 30 years ago and it is perhaps old-fashioned, but

interesting to say that the discipline and the precision that

underpins a parade on Horse Guards encapsulates exactly the same values

and standards that underpins an effective operational soldier.

Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Major General. Roland a word on the

importance of his role today? Yes, I worked for him when I

importance of his role today? Yes, I He is every inch the operational

soldier having commanded at every level and operations. So this is a

new thing for him. His first Birthday Parade having just come

back from the NATO head quarters in Afghanistan. So it is a big day for

him. The Massed Bands are ready and the Senior Director of Music leading

a band of 200 musicians, there are some ten ranks and 20 trombones, it

is a magnificent sound and they are preparing to play a firm favourite

of the Queen's Birthday Parade, one of the best loved military marches.

It is an opportunity for the Massed Bands to take centre stage. The last

time it wasn't played was back in 1936.

Quick march. The quick march is Captain General composed by

Lieutenant General Dunn. It marks the Duke of Edinburgh's association

with the Royal Marines. It is about showing that today is about all

three services and not just the household troops.

The lone drummer leading the Massed Bands march to go a position to the

right of the escort. He joined the Grenadiers back in 2011 and what he

is doing now is signalling the next phase of the parade.

the pace stick. That is him to draw his sword, ready to protect the

colour later. This ball turn of the escort.

Dash-mac the subaltern. The escort steps of crisply and

smartly, marching to the June of The British Grenadiers. Quite a moment.

Quite, this is where all eyes are on the escort, this is the essence of

the parade. They go forward the escort, this is the essence of

escort the colour with all of its implications, to a great rousing

tune. They will be standing tall, ready to march off, moving forward

with pride and conviction. Rather daunting if you were facing them

down. The senior director of music making

his way through to the new position close to the front.

It is a splendid moment for Warrant Officer Darren Westlake, the

regimental Sergeant Major. 20 years ago, he was also in the escort, of

the second Battalion. He trooped their colour. Here he is again

today, preparing to take possession of the colour, detecting it with his

sword, ready to hand it to the ensign.

The ensign joined the week before the training began. He has received

the colour. The birthday parade enters a new

phase. The Escort for the Colour has been changed into the Escort to the

Colour, having taken possession of it.

Escort to the Colour will advance. Slow march!

The escort advances in slow time, the band plays Escort to the Colour

by Richard Ridings. Here we have the most difficult

challenge for the bands, they have to change direction with very little

room for manoeuvre in this famously impenetrable move known as the spin

wheel. 63 new members of the Massed Bands this year, so it is even more

tricky. No written instructions. Prince Harry equally intrigued. One

of the most experienced voices among the hundreds of members, Steve

Staite, his 12th consecutive birthday parade, he is one of the

experts on the spin wheel. While all of this is happening, I suppose it

is easy to get distract it? Thank you for reminding me! This is where

I nearly got it wrong. We are coming to a stage where the band will cut

out, and that is the signal for the Brigade waiting to give the word of

command to present arms. I started daydreaming, looking at the crowd,

and I missed the cut out, and I had this awful feeling that something

was wrong. I realised it was me, I just managed to get the word in in

time. Nobody noticed, we will keep it between you and me! We did not

notice! Present arms! The music changes to the

Grenadiers Slow March, arranged by Fred Harris, and the moment has come

for Oliver Wace, as all eyes are upon him.

This is new for me, I'd joined on the 13th of December, when I was

commissioned out of Sandhurst, and the drill there is similar but very

different. It is a huge challenge for me. My grandfather fought for

the good idea cards in World War II, through North Africa and Italy,

where he was wounded. He was a large inspiration for me and the main

reason why I joined the Grenadier Guards.

A lovely story about his grandfather, who was wounded at an

epic battle in Italy in 1944. It was whilst recovering that he befriended

the man at the next-door bed, who became his father-in-law, having

introduced him to his daughter after the war. A lovely end to the story.

Such an important moment now. A good time for us to reflect on what the

colour signifies and what the battle honours signify. Indeed, there is

the obvious historical significance of the colours as a means to control

troops in battle, they have always been treated and guarded with great

reverence, and there are many tales of soldiers and officers protecting

their colours and risking it all. That will be recorded in pictures.

The last colour was carried in battle in 1881, so today they

represent the soul of the regiment, by recording their battle honours,

which are engraved on every officer's sword. It is a collective

recognition of the regiment's bravery and success. Thoughts today

as well for the family of Lance Corporal James Ashworth.

as well for the family of Lance Afghanistan. He was awarded The

Victoria Cross for his remarkable bravery. He was here back in 2007.

Holt! Escort to the Colour will advance! Left turn! Escort to the

Colour take arms! The tune is Hazlemere and composed

by Major Tom Birkett. Numbers one to five, guards.

Advance. Turn. Number six guard. March. Move to the

right in threes. Form threes. Right. Guards, march past and slow. By the

left. Slow march. So the Colour has been trooped and we move into the

march past. All of these troops will march past Her Majesty. This neutral

slow march is by Stuart Watson and John Lewis and written to

commemorate Captain Robert Laurence, a Grenadier Guards Officer killed by

the IRA back in May of 19 77 and awarded the George Cross.

This is what so many people come to see and what so many people admire

around the world, not just the colour, not just the music, but

really, it is the precision and it is that great military attention to

detail and of course, a great view there of the hallmarks of the

Guardsmen, the bearskin with all of its practical challenges. Roland.

Yes, this looks rather elegant and controlled, but I can assure you

particularly when they get into the quick march there, is all very hot

and noisy in the ranks with lots of Josling and cursing to keep everyone

on the move. As you can see, they are tightly packed in. They're

shoulder-to-shoulder, they're being pushed left to right. The hob nailed

boots and the bearskin gives you a curtain to mask your vision. As they

stand there, they will be relieved to get going and hopefully no one

has strapped an alarm clock inside their vest timed to go off during

the parade and there is nothing they can do about it. They have got a

good physical workout as anyone who has been drilled by an enthusiastic

drill sergeant will know and they will be straining to hear and react

to their own officers. So they have got a lot to think about and a lot

to concentrate on. Looking on with great interest, David Cameron, and

Samantha Cameron. As the march past gets underway, the

sun is creeping through the clouds. It looked rather grey and

threatening earlier today, but it opened up a little bit. The Colour

is being brought to the front of the escort ready for the march past.

So the Grenadier Guards today's escort is almost ready it now move

off and to march past in slow time. Led by the Field Officer Lieutenant

Colonel Broughton and Major Richard Led by the Field Officer Lieutenant

Green. The Queen acknowledging 98 and Company, they first trooped

their Colour for the Queen back in 2001. It was a rather wet day then.

It was just the second time they trooped their colour. The Grenadier

Guards recognisable there with their single button. The Queen

acknowledges again the first regiment. A single button. The white

plumes and the grenade collar emblem.

So the Ensign raises the Standard again having lowered it initially.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards closes that

relationship, Roland. It is very close. He means a lot to the

regiment, as much as those serving today as to the many veterans, many

of whom, are his good friends. I found him very easy to host when he

came to visit. He is always teasing us about our army ways. But it is

great to see him on us about our army ways. But it is

has had a very long association with us. He lent his support for

fund-raising for those in need and he has been a very active colonel.

He vfted the battalion and hosted two regimental council meetings and

attended the first Cards Club dinner. The music is changing. The

Scots Guards slow march. And another change. The Coldstream

Guards slow march, Figaro by Mozart. The Adjutant of the parade, Captain

Paddy Rice of the Grenadier Guards with the flourish of the sword will

signal this march past in slow time is complete. Interesting story

because back in October of 2009 he survived being shot in the neck by a

Taliban sniper. After two weeks, at the Camp Bastion field hospital, he

returned to his regiment and completed the remainder of the tour.

That's Captain Paddy Rice. Field Officer rides out to salute the

Queen. The slow march is complete. Well, the 1st Battalion Coldstream

Guards are deployed on operations in Afghanistan providing force

protection in Kabul for British and NATO head quarters and the Afghan

military academy. Nearly 300 men left in February of this year. The

battalion's third tour of the Afghan campaign, and they will return to

their Windsor base in August and they will be the last of the

Household Division to serve in Afghanistan before combat operations

are brought to an end this year. They sent us this message. I know

the Grenadiers will do a first class job today. I wishes Lieutenant

Colonel Charles Broughton all the best of luck as well as those on

parade. Have a cracking time. Enjoy it. Her Majesty will be watching and

there is no standard, but perfection. I would like to wish my

father Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall and Geoffrey Bucknall the

best of luck on today's parade. We are a long way from home and our

thoughts are with everyone at home. We wish you a happy birthday today,

Your Majesty. Happy birthday Your Majesty. Happy birthday Your

Majesty. Birthday greetings for Her Majesty, the Queen from Afghanistan.

And your experience, Roland, will underline what is going on there?

That dual role and you returning in 2010? Very much so. We have all done

our time in Afghanistan and as you say, this show cases that almost

unique role as combat troops on the one hand and Household troops on the

other. It also, I think, shows how complementary the roles are in

representing the standards of the army in terms of commitment and

loyalty and the clip from the Coldstream Guards shows what a

strong bond exists between these Guards regiments. 90% common parts,

but we're distinguished by our differences.

Prince Harry is enjoying, as the neutral quick march gets underway.

It is called Nijmegan and Company. The Guards are going to march past

in quick time. A new sense of dynamicism. This march was composed

by Lieutenant Sergeant Hills a former Grenadier Guards. Last played

back in 2001 at the Birthday Parade when Nijmegan and Company were

trooping. purpose with this March in

QuickTime. Lots of enjoying the music. Some

Commonwealth heads of government here today as well, they have been

attending a conference at the Foreign Office. The Queens company

have all recently returned from the Falkland Islands, they will deploy

in Kenyan in November with the battalion. On the parade ground

today, two guardsmen with No two Court who were injured while serving

in Afghanistan in 2012. Benjamin Kumadey, they recently transferred

from The Royal Welsh Regiment, and among them as well, Lee Scanlon, he

served in the Grenadier Guards for 13 years, he was shot in Afghanistan

and made a full recovery, recently deployed to Brunei on a training

exercise. The Queen acknowledges the colour

once again. The June, the tune is the quick march of the Grenadiers.

No four Court, the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, the 160th

anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War, in

1854. The music changes to the quick march of the Scots Guards, Hielan'

Laddie. The Coldstream Guards quick march,

Milanollo. The majority of the guardsmen quite

junior, 66 guardsmen on their first birthday parade today. Jack O'Hara

is the youngest, at 17. The field officer writes out a game,

salutes the Queen, the march passed in quick time is done. The

commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Broughton, a moment

to pause before the next phase. He told us how he has been preparing

himself. I started learning the words of

command for the praise about three months ago. Since then, it has been

about reverse, rehearse, brothers. Duke of Edinburgh is our regimental

Colonel, so to have him there is a moment of immense pride for us

Grenadiers to troop the colour in front of him. The key to the perfect

parade is good weather, a great atmosphere amongst the men,

immaculate drill and, having seen them rehearse so far, I am convinced

that they will deliver on the day. Plenty of confidence from Lieutenant

Colonel Charles Broughton. Let's have a verdict from you, Roland. The

interesting thing is how inexperienced the maiden company are

of the youngest of the guards on parade. They have done very well, it

has been precise, parade. They have done very well, it

are in good order. They are looking forward to catching their breath

now. There arms will be aching, their feet will be sore, their chest

will be heaving. They should be pleased with that.

Left and right! Right turn! By the left, quick march!

The foot guards have reformed, it will be the turn of the mounted

troops soon to make their appearance and to pass the saluting base. The

Massed Bands will clear a path for The Mounted Bands to make their

entry. A great site, lots of excitement

here. The King's Troop moving on to the parade ground. The rumble and

the clatter telling us they are on their way. They have been on the

parade since 1998. They kept the title of the King's Troop on orders

of Her Majesty the Queen, in memory of her father, King George VI.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery!

Major Mark Edwards took command in August 2011, his fifth and final

birthday parade. It is a great site. Very much so, it is always a

pleasure to see the horses and guns. I have a soft spot for them, my

great-great-grandfather started off in the horse Artillery, and my

great-grandfather ran a rematch station in the First World War in

France, they prepared the horses and mules for work. He did what he could

and was good with the horses, by all accounts. The lead going treated as

the colour of the troop. Given the same respect of the guards, -- the

guards colour. Those guns are the real thing, they were used in action

in the First World War. They were a revelation in portable Artillery.

One of the guns here today rumoured to have fired the first round at the

Battle of the Somme. The field officer of the

sovereign's escort, Major Simon Lukas, of the blues and Wales, he

recently returned to the regiment after a period with the operational

regiment at Windsor. The Life Guards. The captain took

over as adjutant in April last year. On birthday parade for the

first time, recently commanding the staircase party at the House of

Lords for the State Opening of Parliament. The Farriers, with their

taxes. -- axes they would dispatch horses from battle.

The Field Officer's trumpeter, Field Officer Winter. The horse is Nicos.

So the King's Troop, the Household cavalry prepare for the trot past.

75 King's Troop horses on parade today. The saddle being used,

unchanged since 1904. It came into service before the First World War

and it was designed to be ridden for days at a time.

An interesting fact to watch here Huw, as the King's Troop come by,

you will see their horses are ranked and graded according to colour. They

will start with the light bays at the front until you get the dark

bays at the back. The Standard this time not being

lowered, the Queen acknowledges. The Blues and Royals followed by the

Life Guards in their scarlet tunics. Preparation s for today, of course,

going back many weeks, but just in practical terms today, all of it

starting at 5.30am. Great care being taken down to the last detail.

So led by Captain David Hammond, The Mounted Bands provide their own

salute. The kettle drummers crossing their sticks as they pass the

saluting base. That wonderful musician state coach which has been

unchanged since 1965. The drummers changing the reigns with their feet.

It is remarkable considering they have to ride and play!

So the Mounted Band making its way back along the northern edge of the

Parade Ground. Soon the Director of Music will be keeping an eye on

things and making sure that everything is in place ready to

signal to the Field Officer that he is handing back control. That all

the Household Cavalry are in position and getting ready for a

final birthday salute to the Queen. Royal is Salute. -- Royal Salute.

Arms. PLAYS NATIONAL ANTHEM

PLAYS NATIONAL ANTHEM Guards, left and right. The guards

dress this time and all guards and one long line and it is remarkable

to realise that this move, this precise move is accomplished with no

word of command being given. Guards form two ranks. Guards will

retire. Turn. Quick march! The Guards are ready to

march off. The Adjutant composed by Major Tom Birkett.

Divisions will advance. Turn! Guards on the Escort form. Quick march!

So we have the reverse of what we saw earlier. We have the orderly

returning the pace stick. Guards, left. The left guide of the

escort, Colour Suggest James Bennett. He has been on six

operational tours including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and

Afghanistan. There is the Sergeant Major making

his way down to the Approach Road giving the signal that all is clear

for the royal Procession to leave. The Sergeant Major will have his own

celebration, his getting married in the Guard's Chapel. We expect that

will be arranged with his customary attention. Good luck to them.

Field Officer returns and approaches the saluting base to seek Her

Majesty's permission to march off. Your Majesty's guards are formed up

and ready to march off, mam. So permission has been given and

this means that we're in the concluding phase of the Birthday

Parade. The Queen's carriage is being brought back to the saluting

base and some of those guests who have been watching in the Horse

Guards building including Prince Harry and others will be making

their way back towards Buckingham Palace shortly. In that first

carriage, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Duchess of

Cornwall and they will be looking forward to the much anticipated

traditional birthday fly-past by the Royal Air Force and it is a

traditional birthday fly-past by the impressive fly-past that's in store

today. Back on Horse Guards, everyone is

waiting the signal that all is ready for the Queen's Ascot Landu to leave

the Parade Ground today. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will lead

the troops along the Parade Ground back to the Mall and down to

Buckingham Palace where there will be a second march past on a slightly

more inmat scale there. The garrison Sergeant Major is ready to give the

signal. There it is. The march off music is called Voice

of The Guns. It is a tribute to the British artillery men serving in the

First World War and later adopted as a march for the army. The Queen's

carriage will follow behind the Massed Bands at the head of the

troops. As the parade draws to a close, it

is worth mentioning two members of the Massed Bands today. They are in

their final troop Davis Buckles has his 24th Birthday Parade and Ralph

retires. So it is worth asking you given your experience, is this the

moment you start to relax or not? It is the first time I started to

relax. I think for the Field Officer he will be thinking he made it

through. And I hope he can enjoy that ride home. He is right there up

with the sovereign on her carriage. He should be very pleased with

today. He will be pleased I know that his complex reign back went

without incident. We know that horse can move fast backwards and the

guards were straight on the march past.

APPLAUSE It has been said many times that

this parade represents the best values and the best

this parade represents the best Army, is that a fair comment? I

think it's true. You have a long link with what you're seeing here

today going back to the origins of the British Army and although many

things change, some things don't and the underpinning ethos of selfless

commitment, putting yourself in for the benefit of the team is what you

see on a parade like this. Everyone is here to show their loyalty. The

highest standards of discipline. So very much so. Of course, talking of

continuity and stability, and discipline, there we have Her

Majesty, the Queen, just celebrated her 88th birthday and really

performing all her duties with great remarkable energy? Very much her

parade, it is hers in name, as well as in practice. She is the most

experienced observer of this parade. She has been involved with

it throughout her reign. She deputised for her father when she

was involved as a young teenager as a colonel Grenadier Guards. She

knows more about this than anybody. She has seen and accommodated the

changes that have been made. That is the stability, I am wondering when

we look at the form of the parade and the importance of the household

division, the division cannot be immune from change, what would it

look like in years to come? The trick is to ensure any changes are

as imperceptible as possible. What you have in the ranks are some

extremely experienced young soldiers and leaders, which makes it very

easy for us to prepare for the uncertainties of an unpredictable

future. When not on parade here, they will concentrate on training,

so we are ready, shut the country need us. That is not just for the

guards, it is for the whole army. My brigade is part of that. Lots of

smiles and waves. The Queen and the Duke making their way back to

Buckingham Palace. This tradition of the monarchy leading the guards back

to Buckingham Palace started a century ago. Established by George V

in 1914. The parade at that time had become increasingly popular and the

decision was taken to provide an even more impressive experience for

the many thousands who turn up to enjoy the event. For all of the

street liners, I am bound to mention the Welsh Guards, they were on Horse

Guards Parade last year with 12 officers and 220 men today. They are

Unsung Heroes today. Yes, they will have their moment in future. We have

all taken our time on the street lining, you are the first out, last

back, it is a long day and it is the least glamorous of all the roles.

But in my experience, there is some good banter, listening to the

crowd, and it is a good-natured day out. We do this for the State

Opening of Parliament as well, I was doing my best to keep the guardsmen

interested by feeding them means whilst attending to adjust their

bearskins. I had to avoid a cheeky journalist and photographer catching

me doing it, but I have to persevere. I do not know if Giles

Harris has been doing that today, but he machined command in January,

and they will commend the parade for the first time next year.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh looking down towards Buckingham

Palace, knowing full well that there is a great fly-past on the way.

Involving the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and the red arrows,

so it is something we will enjoy in a short while. It is a great side

all the way down the Mall to the Palace. There are thousands of

people who have gathered for the parade, it

people who have gathered for the ceremonial event of the year. There

is the approach to the Palace, dominated by the vast Queen Victoria

Memorial. It was unveiled more than a century ago. By King George V and

by Kaiser Wilhelm. Both of them grandchildren of Queen Victoria.

In the procession as well, the regimental adjutant 's, including

Harry Scott of the Life Guards, Grant Baker of the Grenadier Guards,

Tom Bonas of the Welsh Guards and Timothy Purdon of The Irish Gurads,

Simon Vandeleur of the Coldstream Guards. Solemn in the limelight.

They are the wise men, the guardians of the knowledge, tradition of the

regiments, a cohesive influence. They keep watch over us all. They

are employed on civil service conditions. The most important thing

they do this they oversee the distributions of regimental

charitable funds to those in need, regimental welfare cases. They have

an important role in officer recruitment. I am delighted to say

we have been joined by Roger -- Robert Hardman, the Daily Mail

columnist. Thank you for joining us again, your impressions so far? As

ever, it is one of the great spectacles, you can see the size of

the crowds. It is a scene that never fails to inspire, move and excite,

and a lot of young people as well. The parade is not quite complete,

they have already shown that they The parade is not quite complete,

are not just good musicians, they are talented horse men. What does

the saddle? take to play an

Hello, chaps, working away very hard, who is this beauty? This is

Achilles, 14 years old, he hard, who is this beauty? This is

17, too. He looks camera shy. Inside, he is excited! I get to get

the Drum Horse groomed. He washes his feathers, it takes 20 minutes.

They come up nice and fluffy. They have got quite a following. They

even have their own Facebook page! You are not doing it this year. I

have done 23. I will miss it, I am very proud and honoured to have been

able to do it, but I am now handing over to John Codd, it will be his

first parade this year. Who is this? Mercury. Beautiful. How are

you feeling? Very daunted to start with, but really looking forward to

it. How has the musician -- how has the beach training been going? When

you get on top, they are a bigger base, it is a different experience.

The trickiest art is keeping your eye down to what you are doing at

the time. You have got to ensure that you are telling your boss where

he is, and that the rest of the band are happy. You have to concentrate

on what you are doing. This looks very impressive. We have got ?12

million worth of equipment here. These are the Life Guards Silver

drums, the centre to us by William IV. They look heavy. They weigh 45

kilograms each. It is naturally machined the drums will be different

weights, but they weigh exactly the same. They are stars in their own

right. Have you ever had any issues? Ten years ago, there is an

iconic part for the Drum Horses as we give a salute to Her Majesty the

Queen. I am not supposed to look into her eyes, but I could see she

had a frown on her face and she was pointing at something. The front

crest of the drum had fallen off and dropped to the floor. They had to

get the police to close Horse Guards down so they could retrieve the

peace and get it refitted. The Queen has a keen eye. This is your

clarinet, that might be the only bit of kit that I recognise. Why did you

want to be a part of the band? I joined as a musician, then we had to

put in our preferences. I looked at the Household Calvary, I thought it

looked interesting, and I ended up here. This holds the music in place.

We have to tired on with cable ties and use key ring holders, so when we

flipped the music, it does not fall off. You do not want bits flying

off! You are looking at your music, playing the clarinet, controlling

the horse. You have got to see the director of music, you have got to

make sure that you keep in line with the people in your row, and you have

to look at the side to make sure you are in line there as well, as well

as looking at your music and playing, it is incredible! Two bands

working together, is this normal? Yes, for this parade. Each year, one

of us has the pleasure of taking the parade. Is this your first time?

Absolutely, I am delighted to give it. What are the challenges? What

should they be looking out for? You are holding the parade together, you

have to know it inside out. Without music, it is pointless, it is the

driver for everything. Your first time on Nintendo, how is she

feeling? OK so far, we will see. Good luck today, thank you, and good

luck for the birthday parade. A great insight into the hard work

and preparation and techniques and expertise of the Mounted Bands. Suzi

Perry talking to a lot of people, including Paul Wilman, and we can

join him now. Yes, Major Paul Wilman, I have come

down to the Queens Gardens, a glorious view of Buckingham Palace,

and there are the band walking by. How has David Hammond done today? He

has done a marvellous job, the timing was impeccable, his riding

was bang on time, it cut off to the music in the right place, very

successful. It must be strange for you to be standing on your feet and

not on a horse. It is a bit strange, but having done it last year and

enjoyed the pride of it, I am missing it today and I am feeling it

now. But I am glad for the guys out there. I would like to talk to you

about the Drum Horses, they are something else. When they first hit

the germ -- hit the drum, it made me jump, but the horses do not react.

It is about training, the drum is played in front of them, they play

them quietly, they hit them, and eventually, it goes out of them. You

not only have the weight of the drums on the horses, but the sound

is next to their ears. But they get used to it, it is about training.

Every other horse flinches, it is incredible! The musicians are not

really horse men, they have to control the horse with their feet.

They have done the riding school, but it is not 100% of the job. We

only ride at specific periods, and this is the critical one, how they

ride is most interesting, because they do not ride like the Household

Calvary men. They wrap their reigns around their wrist, most of the

riding is done with their legs. Then they have to play their music and

keep their eye on the dressing from left to right, front to rear. It is

incredible. You look at some instruments, you wonder how they do

it. I still do not know! Good luck with your retirement. Thank you.

Major Paul Wilman talking to Suzi Perry. Enjoying the music and the

scene at Buckingham Palace. The march past has been taking place,

this is the second one, because we already had the grand one of Horse

Guards Parade. This is the second phase, before the Queen prepares to

go into the palace and spend a bit of time in there before they come

out onto the balcony to enjoy the fly-past. Around the gardens,

towards Green Park, a pretty big crowd gathered. Most of the members

of the Royal family have already congregated on the balcony. They

will be waiting patiently for the march past, which will take place in

half an hour. They will all go back in and come out again. Robert and

Roland are still with me. It is worth reflecting that this parade

today, a pretty ambitious event, is part of several ambitious events

over the past ten days. Yes, Huw, this has been the busiest Royal

month since the Diamond Jubilee of 2012. The Queen has, if you look

back at recent days, the State Opening of Parliament, the visit to

France, Normandy and there is a series of eng gaegments in Scotland

and -- engagements in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This week I was at

a garden party at the Palace and watched the Queen and the Duke

spending two hours working their way through a crowd of 8,000 people. It

was the Duke's 93rd birthday and he gave orders that the band wasn't to

play happy birthday. They are in the middle of a very busy summer and

relishing every moment. It is probably worth a little line as

well, Roland, at this point for viewers watching who often don't see

this part of the day because we're staying on air for the fly-past

there, march-past, not using the word, "Intimate." But it is more

intimate than Horse Guards? Yes, this is the last act and you will

see standing there on the Queen's right-hand side is the Field Officer

and brigade and you watch the troops march past and rank past for a final

time as they all head back to barracks and there comes a stage

when you are on your own. It is a very sort of memorable moment from

my time in the parade and it's just you left to ask your leave, a quiet

personal moment. I didn't notice the crowds that were watching when I did

it. A word Huw here on how difficult

this riding is as well. There are a lot of young horses and

inexperienced troopers here and for those that don't know it, they are

riding very long in their stirrups and they can feel almost nothing

through the thick jack boots so they have got no control through their

legs on those horses and they are only holding on with one hand. This

is a tricky thing to do. This is hot and

The Life Guards marching past after which we expect the Field Officer to

salute Her Majesty, the Queen will then be back in that carriage and

the Royal Salute will be sounded. A nice touch here, Huw, for the

Field Officer and brigade waiting today. His father was The Adjutant

of the Blues and Royals and his older brother was a squadron leader

of the Blues and Royals and they will be looking at his horsemanship

with a critical eye today. The Royal Family looking on from the

balcony. The Queen making her way into the Palace. Very soon the

fly-past will take place. We will see them all back out on the balcony

again. Prince Harry has been working hard organising the Invictus Games,

a new Paralympic-style sport. One of those hoping to take part is Nathan

Cumberland. He served as a Grenadier Guards man. This is his story. I

joined the Grenadiers in 2004. I wanted to see the world, meet new

people kind of thing before you know it, I was getting shouted at

marching up and down and the Queen's birthday and there you are in Horse

Guards strutting your stuff really. I did two tours of Afghanistan with

the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, the first tour was in 2007 and the

second tour was in 2009, September. Within five weeks of being there on

the second tour, that's when I got blown up and before you know it, I

was getting picked up by the medical emergency response team on a Chinook

and they airlifted me to Camp Bastion and the guys on the ground

were returning fire and they mucked in and that's what it is all about

when you are out there. It is down to them guys, really. They saved my

life. You have got two paths you can either feel sorry for yourself or

say, "I'm still here and I'm going to get on with it." I'm not saying

it's going to be rainbows and sunshine every day, because it is

not. Everyone is going to have bad days and it is just pulling through

those bad days to make better days, it is as simple as that. The

personality traits which Nathan has, he has grit. He has determination to

dig in and get on with it. That's a good trait if life. Just accepting

where you are, saying, "Right. This is it." No matter how he competes in

the Invictus Games or any other challenges in life for that matter,

it will stand him in good stead. He was always the one who would put a

smail on your face -- smile on your face. I think he still is, to be

honest, he will never change. He is very competitive and hopefully

that will help him and push him on throughout the Invictus Games. The

Invictus Games helps, it is that mentality of competitiveness against

whether it is yourself or whether it is against other nations or other

countries, it is that Army ethos, isn't it? I think it is massive for

the guys who are struggling to find where they want to go next. They

need a focus. I train at the gym a lot. I cycle Europe twice, I have

done various other things, diving in Thailand, you name it, I kind of

pretty stuff done it. I have done more stuff when I was injured when I

was able-bodied. It has been good. It has been good. At the Invictus

Games I'm hoping to compete in the powerlifting event and the field

events such as shot putt and javelin and hopefully fingers crossed I will

make it. In terms of encouragemed, the one thing I would say to Nathan

is he needs to grow his beard further. We call it beard strong.

There is a correlation between beard strength and length. We are to take

a rest every now and again because he will do himself a heart attack

one day. I'm sure the heritage of the Grenadiers will lift himself

through the Invictus Games. The spirit of the regiment will be with

him and lead him to be a winner. You can feel sorry for yourself and say,

"I can't do this." That's down to you then. That's your response and

you've got to live with that. At the end of the day, I didn't want

you've got to live with that. At the certain degree. I wanted to get

you've got to live with that. At the know, I live a normalish life

you've got to live with that. At the have got no complaints. I'm still

here. I'm still here. A remarkable story of Nathan

here. I'm still here. A remarkable about his recovery and his hopes for

the Invictus Games. The chairman of the Invictus Games. The chairman of

deputy chair of the London Olympics. Tell us how this evolved? Well,

sadly for the last ten years or so, hundreds of

sadly for the last ten years or so, and women around the world have been

injured or taken sick or within wounded as part of the conflict and

sport played a big part in the recuperation of these people. Last

year, Prince Harry took a group of British servicemen to the US to

compete in something called the Warrior Games and we created the

Invictus Games. It is getting close to September. How many competitors

and what kinds of sports will they and what kinds of sports will they

be involved? Over 400 competitors from 14 different countries and nine

different sports in the Olympic Park in East London and we

different sports in the Olympic Park thousands of people

different sports in the Olympic Park will come and support them. Tickets

are on sale now. will come and support them. Tickets

really important that the country gets behind this event

really important that the country way as they did for the Paralympic

Games. The aim is to raise awareness and to inspire? Yes, this will

in#1350ir thousands around the -- inspire thousands around the world

and certainly raise awareness and help the young men and women through

sport back into employment and back into society. Sir Keith, thank you

very much. You're welcome. Sir Keith Mills there the chairman

of the Invictus Games talking to Suzi. Natan sum better land --

Nathan Cumberland, what a remarkable man? I was with him on that tour. He

was being humble there when he said that it was down to everyone else

who got him out of there. The truth is that he was lying there,

who got him out of there. The truth badly hurt. He kept his head and was

controlling his section and badly hurt. He kept his head and was

which was the security of the situation and so he embodies

selfless commitment and he came to his concerns of the injuries and he

has been an inspiration for the others, many of whom who found it a

lot more difficult to come to terms of it. I couldn't think of a more

appropriate phrase, it is not what happens to you, it is how you deal

with it. Despite a couple of umbrellas, we have a few spots of

rain. They are making their way down towards the Palace for the fly-past

and the appearance on the balcony. Prince Harry will be there. It is a

good moment to ask you about Harry's involvement with the Invictus Games?

It has been a crusade for Prince Harry. He was inspired by his visit

to the Warrior Games in the States. He spent the last few months

focussing on this event. 400 athletes, nine sports which will

take place in September in the Olympic Park of that was very

important to him to bring it to the heart of the great Olympic triumphs.

Over the last few weeks he has been make ago lot of visits in -- make

ago lot of visits in private down to meet the competitors. He was

visiting Royal Marines the other day to see how they're getting on and to

encourage them. For him, I think, this is very much, he has done a lot

this year. He has done amazing things. The first member of the

Royal Family to reach the South Pole, but this event on the eve of

his 30th birthday is the main focus at the moment. In Green Park, we

have had the King's Troop making their dramatic and colourful entry.

Their 41 gun salute, 21 guns for the birthday of the monarch and an

additional 20 because they are in a Royal Park. As the crowds flood down

towards the Palace, they are waiting to see the Queen and members of the

Royal family on the balcony and to see the fly-past, because each year,

the final salute is in the skies, a board can be heard, the mall is

crowned with streams of red, white and blue as the RES offers birthday

wishes. What goes into creating this display? We spoke to men of the

Battle of Britain Memorial flight and the Red Arrows to find out.

No matter how many times we have flown this, we need to make sure

that when the Queen looks up, we are in the right piece of sky, so we

present her aeroplanes as they should be presented. It is a

tremendous honour for anybody to be involved in anything for the Royal

family. Something as iconic as this is something I will never forget. I

remember watching Trooping The Colour as a child, so to be part of

that is experience, especially being in this aircraft, the Lancaster

bomber. People enjoy the noise and vibration, they engender many

feelings. It gets the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, there

is no sound like it. The start of the show is the Lancaster, I am the

person that puts her in the right bit of sky. Nobody has come to see

me, everybody has come to see the Lancaster. You do not usually get

jets flying around in central London! The Red Arrows come to chase

the better weather. The work is quite intense. The train -- the team

wears a green suit, then they get a red suit when they are qualified to

display in front of the public. That is our ticket to display in front of

the public, a proud day for everybody. The Red Arrows Flybe

classic jet trainer, it has been in service since the mid-70s. It is

like a nifty sports car, it is simple and basic, but it is perfect

for our needs. This Lancaster was built in 1945, this is a D-mark, one

of only two remaining airworthy Lancaster is in the world. This is

the mark nine Spitfire, it flew on D-Day. She is painted so they could

be distinguished from enemy aircraft so our gunners shot at the enemy. We

are just the final cog to get a group of 70-year-old aircraft flying

in the air. It is quite an achievement, considering how old and

fragile they are. The skills that we use are totally different from the

modern aircraft. None of the parts are manufactured any more, so we

rely on old. That sometimes becomes unavailable, or we have to go right

back to the original manufacturer's drawings and have things many

fractured from scratch, so we are back to grass-roots engineering. The

controls linked to the control surfaces, so the best analogy I can

give is driving a car without power steering. She is heavy to fly, very

noisy, she vibrates, but I would not change anything. Flying a Spitfire

is every boy's dream, it is the most fabulous plane to fly, it is light

throughout its range, it is incredibly manoeuvrable, at the

time, it was cutting edge, and it is a legendary aircraft, so you are

always aware that the ghosts of pilots are watching you to make sure

you do it right. The hawk that we fly has been modified to carry

smoke. Dedicated engineers can fill up the tanks to create our Red

Arrows show. The red and blue smoke is a liquid dye, and the white smoke

is diesel on its own, which earns in the exhaust of its engine. The smoke

is controlled inside the cockpit with three buttons, they are the

weapons release buttons. The top button is the red one, the middle

one is white, the bottom one is blue. The smoke pot is a modified

gunpoint. The red and blue dye, they have to sit on the ground and listen

to the pod filling up, they hear a chattering of the valves, and that

is when it is full. We only have one minute of colour each, so we get a

call, then the colours come. There is always a niggling feeling that

they will come out with purple smoke, you have put the red in with

the blue! The one thing that can get in our way is the weather.

the blue! The one thing that can get do anything about that. The weather

is a major limitation, the rain, cloud and wind are major factors in

any operation that we do. We only take this out in almost perfect

conditions. A couple of years ago, I had to cancel the part of the

conditions. A couple of years ago, I look after her, she is 70 years old.

Timing is crucial, certainly for a long train of aircraft, like in this

fly-past. speed range, we have to take into

account the wind to modify our speed range, we have to take into

300 knots, the formation is going to close up. Once we are over

Buckingham Palace, close up. Once we are over

apart, but then the routing has to be done to allow the faster aircraft

to pass the slower aircraft, which is done in the planning stages. The

way is done in the planning stages. The

is all down to the boss. is done in the planning stages. The

the front of the Red Arrows formation is the easiest job in

terms of formation, but I have to make sure we are on time and in the

right position. It is down to him! From 40 miles away, you can see

central London, and From 40 miles away, you can see

of features that we use to get ourselves lined up.

of features that we use to get final stages, you have

of features that we use to get staged -- it is not stationary,

because there are so many people there. To be in the Lancaster is

something that will stay with you for life. We get very few seconds to

appreciate what we are doing at the time. We are all working so hard to

make sure it is in the right place at the right time, it is not until

afterwards that we recollect what we have been doing. Last year,

afterwards that we recollect what we Buckingham Palace for three or four

seconds. The only Buckingham Palace for three or four

concerned about is the landing at the end, the last two feet

concerned about is the landing at probably the hardest hit. You are

going to get a bit of a ribbing from the rest of the crew if you bounce.

It is not until I hand the aircraft over to the engineers that I relax.

The birthday fly-past for us is the commemorative highlight of the year,

so to be flying along in a Spitfire next to a Lancaster over the Palace

and over the Queen is incredibly special, and which are incredibly

proud. Any fly-past people like to see, but the Red Arrows are very

special. I can hear the cheering on the radio, it gets the British

public feeling patriarch, it is lovely to be part of.

Just a taste of what is to come. There is the gun salute, taking

place in Green Park, the King's Troop are there, 41 gun salute.

Marking the Queen's official birthday. Salutes fired in Hyde Park

and the Tower of London. All of that happening in Green Park. Very close

nearby, we have the crowds congregating around the Queen

Victoria Memorial. The huge Royal standard at the gates fluttering in

the breeze, signalling to the world that the Queen is in residence. The

Queen and all members of the Royal family are preparing to make the

appearance on the balcony. There is the scene, many thousands of people

have come to enjoy the spectacle today. Thankfully, no really serious

rain. In a few moments, the fly-past will happen, 28 aircraft, 13

different types, from the famous Spitfire and Lancaster to modern

fighter jets and the Red Arrows team. They will fly right over

Buckingham Palace in a few moments. Robert, one of the key questions

now, will we see Prince George? Many people would love to see him. The

view has been taken that he is one month short of his first birthday,

it is probably a bit too soon to bring him on parade. He might be in

there, they are inside the centre of Buckingham Palace, having a sandwich

and a cup of tea, so he might be in there, but every indication is that

he will not be. The Queen has four great-grandchildren now, because of

little near as well. -- little Mia. We will certainly see three

generations. This event is the one moment where you see the whole Royal

Family on parade, but this year in particular, a lot of team events

still to come, we have got the Commonwealth Games next month in

Glasgow, where all the members of the family will be there to see many

of the events. The Queen will be opening that. There is a lot on the

schedule to come. We have the World Cup at the moment, Prince William

has a vested interest, as president of the FA, but Harry seems to be

playing his part. A bit of sibling rivalry, Prince William is the

president of the FA, but Prince Harry will see the first game,

because he is off on a visit to Brazil and Chile. It has been

organised by the government. Here comes the moment the crowds are

waiting for. They will all come out now.

comes the moment the crowds are waiting for. They Led by the Queen.

Smiles from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and some waves for the

vast crowd below. They are now joined by other members of the Royal

family. The crowd realising it is about to happen, because the

fly-past is about to take place. Six elements, the first element already

in sight, the support helicopter force, a Merlin, to Pumas and a

Chinook. Here they come. The RAF's

helicopters providing essential transport for troops and equipment

and medical emergency aid to NATO forces, including in Afghanistan.

There we see the Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Eugenie, who

was helping the Queen at her garden party earlier this week.

The Merlin and the Pumas, they have seen service in Iraq and

Afghanistan. The Pumas taking part in the fly-past for the first time

this year. The Chinook often carrying emergency response teams,

which give life-saving aid to the injured.

RAF Memorial Flight based in Lincolnshire. Dakota, tactical,

transport aircraft used during World War II and on D-Day to carry troops

and freight and we saw it in Normandy last week. A great sight in

the blue skies above Arromanches and what a lovely sight today, the

Lancaster which suffered some problems while in France after

D-Day, but the engineers worked tirelessly around the clock this

week and that's the result - this great aircraft flying at the Queen's

Birthday Parade. Plenty of wonderful things to take

photographs of. The eyes and ears of the RAF filmed by Eight Squadron and

Flapg flanking are the aircraft. This plane can carry troops, freight

and other transport and then the vast voyager, also from Brize Norton

is specially adapted for military role. We have three Typhoons.

Stand-by for the Red Arrows! One of the world's premiere arrow battic

display teams and that's the reason why.

A stream of red, white and blue in the skies above Central London and

Buckingham Palace and to the Queen's obvious delight.

APPLAUSE 2014 is the 50th display season

the Red Arrows. It is great to see them. The Queen thanking the crowd.

The Duke of Edinburgh having a chat and sharing a joke with Prince

So the Queen and three generations of the Royal Family making their way

back into the Palace where the Birthday Parade of 2014, the 62nd on

the Queen's reign is at an end. An impressive performance by the Royal

Air Force to round off the day's events. You can enjoy it again. Our

highlights programme is on BBC Two at 6.30pm. Now, from all of the BBC

team, goodbye. Magnificent. The power base

of medieval England. Charles' ceiling was a piece

of breathtaking arrogance.