Highlights 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,

splendid colour, stand by for the Queen's Birthday Parade.

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

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

outbreak of the Great War, and later this year the last British combat

troops will leave Afghanistan. A blend of past, present and indeed

future in the shape of today's Escort, found by Nijmegen Company

Grenadier Guards, many of the Guardsmen are now recruits. In fact,

for all the officers and Guardsmen in the Escort today, this is their

first time on Horse Guards for the Queen's birthday parade.

Some 8,000 people watching the ceremony today, many of them have

applied successfully for tickets, it's a very competitive process.

They're also 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 the USA and other countries

too. The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond and other Cabinet

colleagues. Magnificent sight along the Mall, by

tradition decked with Union flags to celebrate the Queen's official

birthday and lining the route are soldiers of the 1st Battalion Welsh

Guards. The majority of 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

Sovereign's Escort waiting there to accompany the Queen and other

members of the Royal Family to Horse Guards. We have a new member of the

BBC team at Trooping the Colour this year, Suzi Perry is seeing how they

put the finishing touches to the preparations. It's calm down here,

this is the coachman, first female coachman at Buckingham Palace, she's

polishing that saddle. They've spent weeks preparing. The heat plays

havoc with the brass. Here are the gorgeous horses that will be pulling

the carriages later. They're all taking part in the parade. This is

Steven putting the last touches to this horse. They've been out this

morning for their ride but it's very calm which is good because the

horses pick up on the atmosphere but they're certainly ready down here.

Someone who understands every twist and turn of today's ceremony is my

special guest, brigadier Roland Walker. There he is in 2010. That

was the last time the Grenadier Guards Trooped their Colour here on

Horse Guards. That was four years ago today. He is

with me in the commentary position above the parade ground. Welcome,

what are you looking forward to? Thank you very much, I am looking

forward to watching this from the comfort of the commentary box and

seeing it all again. My memory was quite a blur because we had come

back from Afghanistan and as you will see, it generally all happens

behind you when you are in charge. I am excited for the troops on parade

and for families watching, it's a big day for them. A chance to show

their respect for the Sovereign in front of an impressive audience. We

look forward to it. Let me say all Guardsmen joining the Grenadier

begin their careers in Nijmegen Company, the vast majority in

today's Escort are new recruits. We joined them a few months ago for the

first parade rehearsal as they began to understand the demands of taking

centre-stage and providing the Escort.

We try to use Nijmegen Company as a finishing school. 17 and

18-year-olds turning up into a battalion of 800 men can be

extremely difficult. Some arrived two or three days ago, they're taken

straight down to the stores, we are on the drill square, I am stood in

front of them for the first time screaming and shouting at them. This

is day one of Troop training, usually about seven weeks. Keeping

it at basic level today. I joined Nijmegen Company about a month ago.

It's a shock to the system going straight from a month to doing this.

Drill is difficult for Guardsmen at this level. I would expect mistakes

and I am happy for them to make mistakes. I am not going to shout,

it's the first one. There is the line. Expect to get it wrong now and

not on the day. If you get it wrong I will bounce you around this

square! We are here and let's get on with it. Five-minute break, that's

all we have! Straight away you forgot it. It's all about giving

100% and being keen at all times. Yeah, it's hard work and

determination. This marks the beginning of hard work and

determination for send weeks. You beginning of hard work and

must keep up with the front rank. You get a few arguments. Being in

the front it makes me nervous, you have to be switched on at all times.

Everything has to be pitch perfect. It's gone wrong at that end. There

is pressure on the day especially when Her Majesty is a few metres

away from you, but it's an honour really. I am part of the Queen's

Birthday Parade, here I am. Most Guardsmen here today will never have

done a Troop. The first one they're going to be the Escort. They will

probably never be the Escort again in their Army career so that makes

me extremely proud and should make them proud, as well.

They're standing proudly with sergeant Major brooks. The Escort

provided sergeant Major brooks. The Escort

Grenadier Guards. 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards providing two,

three and four Guards, a prominent Grenadier Guards presence this year.

The far end, number seven company Coldstream Guards providing number

six guard and next to them number five guard. The Welsh Guards are

street-lining. The Irish Guards not absent, they have some musicians in

the Massed Bands. More than 200 Irish Guardsmen in Cyprus, they sent

us this message. From all soldiers in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards

battle group in Cyprus, we would like to wish all the soldiers on the

Queen's birthday parade today the best of luck. Have a gleaming

parade. Three cheers for Her Majesty!

Hip-hip hooray! Three cheers from Cyprus. Now the

officer commanding today's parade is the Field Officer in Brigade waiting

and he's been talking to Suzi. 18 years of service and here you are

commanding the parade. Anything you feel anxious about? We are prepared

as we can be. I am concerned my voice may not hold out. You have a

scratchy throat. A touch. You are in good hands with Winston, all 16. 1.

He is a dab hand at this. He has done the parade eight times. Two as

the brigade field officer in waiting's horse and he knows the

parade better than I do. He can also go up steps, he goes to Sandhurst

College and rides in. He has done that many times. It's his last one.

His last parade and last day in the Army. Well, let's hope it's a good

one. How proud do you feel to be doing this today? Immensely. To be

in front of 1300 troops and the Queen is a day in a life. I know

that your daughters are watching. Good luck and have a fantastic day.

Thank you very much indeed. Back on Horse Guards, the Colour

Party is in place, a great honour to be selected for a central role in

the parade. Sergeant Gregory Mann. The two colour sentries are both 21.

The Colour Trooped today is the Queen's Colour. 45 of the regiment's

77 battle honours on the Colour. One of those forle of Nijmegen. They

fought to liberate the Dutch town. We asked Lord Carrington, the former

Foreign Secretary, a captain in 1944, about his memories of the

battle. I was a regular soldier before the war. I joined in 1938 and

for some reason which can only be known to the War Office, they

decided to turn us into tanks. We were really rather a good infantry

battalion, I am grateful because I wouldn't be alive I think if one had

been an infantry battalion. There were certain advantages in being in

a tank too. You would take your bottle of whisky and could deal

better than walking on your feet. We didn't land until after D-Day. The

first battle we had was near Carr, we never had a battle before in a

tank. Incredible. None of us enjoyed it very much and it wasn't very much

of a success. But I think we got better after that and became really

quite a good battalion. All the other bridges up to Nijmegen were

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

We were supposed to go straight through over the bridge but when we

arrived there the bridge had not been taken. It was quite clear that

they were prepared to blow it up rather than for us to come over. But

the man who was splendid was Sergeant Robinson who went over in

the first tank, a splendid man. Indomitable. Over he went. I was the

fourth tank or something and I just felt I was near enough 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 a

successful battle. I think it was a good Grenadier occasion. It's very

nice the Nijmegen Company is called there, I think it's splendid and

it's rather nice to think that it's a minor skirmish, but at least it's

remembered after all these years. NATIONAL ANTHEM

In the first carriage, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge

and Prince Harry too. Making their way towards the Mall. The second

carriage, the Duke of York and his daughter Princess Eugenie and the

Earl of Wessex and Countess of Wessex too.

In the third carriage, the Duke of Kent and his sister, Princess

Alexandra. The Royal Salute sounded by the

Blues and Royals. This is the 62ndreign of the Queen's -- year of

the Queen's reign. The Royal Colonels making their way too.

The Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal. The

Queen, who has celebrated her 88th birthday on April 21st this year,

spent it quietly at Windsor. Today's events, of course, are a much

grander scale and a celebration of the Sovereign's official birthday.

The first three carriages in the procession, making

The first three carriages in the 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 enthusiastic cheering from

the youth enclosure. There we have more than 1100 young

people, in the youth enclosure. Some of them from Stirling, some of them

from Pontypridd. The formation has changed, Number 3 Guard has opened

up, ready to welcome the first of the royal guests. So, the first of

the carriages passes on to the parade ground and the bands will

play the national anthem. Prince Harry, saluting The Colour.

He has retained the rank of captain. He is in the Blues and Royals. He's

wearing his Afghanistan medals as well. The carriage is approaching

the Horse Guards Parade in, where the royal party will watch the

parade, the office once occupied by the jig of Wellington. They have the

best vantage point to see what is going on. -- Duke of Wellington.

The Queen's head coachman, Mark Hargreaves. Remarkable, to realise

that the Queen first took part in this parade in 1947, at the age of

21. The first raid after the war, riding as Colonel of the Grenadier

Guards. As the young Princess Elizabeth, she had detachments of

all six battalions at Windsor Castle on his 16th birthday. The Duke of

Edinburgh, celebrating his 93rd birthday in the past week. Colonel

of the Grenadier Guards. That is a position that he has held since

March of 1975. He is wearing the uniform of the Colonel of the

guards, at the trooping of the colour. He presented good conduct

medals to three sergeants. Posing for the odd photograph as well.

Enjoying his very strong link with the regiment.

Buckingham Palace tellers that the Queen is wearing an outfit by Angela

Kelly, first worn on the state visit to Australia three years ago. Powder

blue dress and hat. The head coachman, leading the way

on to horse guards, towards the horse guards building.

The Chelsea Pensioners, 11 of them today. Their combined age, 832

years. The oldest is 92. The coachman will salute the Colour with

the whip. One of several salutes we will see today. The Duke of

Cambridge, the Prince of Wales, Princess Royal. Followed by the two

nonroyal colonels, General Guthrie and Lieutenant General James

Bucknell. The Queen's Birthday Parade of 2014

is about to begin. At the stroke of 11 o'clock, the Queen will step onto

the saluting base, the Royal standard will be unfurled and the

Field Officer will give his command, and the national anthem will be

played. The Field Officer in a waiting,

Charles Broughton, preparing to offer the Royal Salute.

The Queen's first duty is to inspect her troops. To do that, there is

going to be some rousing music. A big moment for him, he joined the

Army in 1976. The first PC is going to conduct, composed by a former

bands master of the Coldstream Guards.

The music changes to First Finest, Major Denis Burton is the composer.

The director of music at the Grenadier Guards until 2006. The

march includes the use of Grenadier themes. The title, First Finest,

affecting their pride in the regiment.

The Sovereign's Standard of the Blues and Royals. It is held by the

Standard Bearer,. The Queen presented new standards to the house

guard. It only happens once a decade. The coachman saluting the

Sovereign's Standard. The Royal Colonels, as well. And the

nonroyal colonels. The Kings Troop, Royal Horse

Artillery, ready for their dramatic appearance on the parade ground a

little later on. The lead gun for them, that functions as the Colour,

equal to the Colour being escorted today. That is why it is saluted.

The Major General, commanding the Household Division, Edward Smith

Osborne, his first year in the role. Commissioned into the Life Guards in

1983, commanding officer in Commissioned into the Life Guards in

role, by the way, commanding both Prince William and Prince Harry when

they joined the Household Division. It was a huge honour to be the Major

General at the Queen's 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 privilege to come back to command an organisation that

I joined over 30 years ago. 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.

Leading a bank of 200 musicians, a magnificent sound. They are

preparing to play a firm favourite, one of the most loved military

marches, a big highlight and an opportunity for the bands to take

centre stage. The last time it was not played is back in 1936.

march! The quick march is Captain General composed by Lieutenant

Colonel Dunn in 1949. Very much to mark the 350 years of the Royal

Marines celebrated this year and also the Duke of Edinburgh's

association with the wonderful Royal Marines. Very much showing that

today is all about all three services honouring their Sovereign

and not just the Household Troops. The lone drummer, Lance Corporal

Matthew Hadfield leaves the Massed Bands and marches to a position to

the right of the Escort. He joined the Grenadiers in 2011. He is

signalling the next phase of the parade.

The drummer's call, a reminder of the days when drum beats were the

method by which commands were given and the Guardsman junior takes the

pace stick and that allows the regimental sergeant to draw his

sword ready to protect the Colour. Escort for the Colour will advance.

Quick march! The Escort steps off crisply and

smartly, marching proudly to the tune of the British Grenadiers.

Quite a moment, Roland. Quite. This is the point where all eyes are on

the Escort. This is the essence of the parade. They go forward to take

control of and Escort that Colour with all its

control of and Escort that Colour to a great tune like the British

Grenadier. They'll be standing very tall ready to march off, moving

forward with pride and conviction and I dare say daunting if you were

facing them down. Escort for the Colour. Massed Bands

will return. The Senior Director of Music making his way through the

band to a new position close to the front. Guards attention. Change

arms. Slope arms.

It's a splendid moment for Warrant Officer One, Darren Westlake,

Regimental Sergeant Major. 20 years ago he was also in the Escort when

the 2nd battalion Trooped their Colour. Here he is again today

preparing to take possession of the Colour, protecting it with his

sword, ready to hand it to the En sign.

The Ensign, second Lieutenant Oliver Wace, joined Nijmegen Company the

week before training began. He has received the Colour.

Escort to the Colour. Present arms. The Queen's birthday parade enters a

new phase. As we have heard 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 by

the centre. Slow march! The Escort advances in slow time.

The bands play 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 impenetratable move

known as the spin wheel. 63 new members of the Massed Bands this

year, so it's even more tricky. No written instructions by the way,

Prince Harry equally intrigued. One of the most experienced voices among

the hundreds of members there is Drum Major Steve Staite, his 12th

consecutive Queen's birthday parade, he is apparently one of the real

experts on the spin wheel. While this is happening, I suppose it's

easies to get distracted, -- easy to get distracked, Roland. 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's the signal for the

Field Officer in Waiting to give the crucial word to present arms. I am

afraid I started daydreaming at this point looking at the crowd and

missed the cut out. I had this awful feeling that something was wrong.

And I realised it was me and just managed to get the word in, in time.

I don't think anyone noticed, we will keep that between you and me! I

have something to admit, we didn't notice.

Present arms! The music changes to the familiar

Grenadiers Slow March, arranged by Fred Harris and the movement has

come for the Ensign, Second Lieutenant Oliver Wace as all eyes

are upon him. This is immensely new for me, I joined December last year

out of Sandhurst. The drill that we do at Sandhurst is similar, but

very, very different at the same time. So, it's a huge challenge for

me. My grandfather fought in World War II for the Grenadier Guards,

through Africa and he is large inspiration for me and why I joined

the Grenadier Guards. Such an important moment now in the

parade. A good time for us as well to reflect on what the Colour

signifies and what those battle honours signify. Indeed. There's the

obvious historical significance of the Colour as a means to control

troops in battle. They've always been treated and guarded with great

reverence. There are many heroic tales of soldiers and officers

risking all to protect their colours. A lot of officers will have

that recorded in pictures. The last Colour was carried in battle in

1881. Today they really represent the soul of a regiment by recording

their battle honours which are also engraved on every officer's sword.

Very much a collective recognition of the regiment's bravery and

success. The thoughts today too for the family of Lance Corporal James

Ashworth. Yesterday marked the second anniversary of his death in

Helmand Province in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for

his remarkable bravery and he Trooped the Colour here with

Nijmegen Company in 2007. Escort to the Colour will advance. Escort to

the Colour, arms! MUSIC: Hazelmere

Composed by Drum Major Tom Birkett Numbers 1 to 5 guard, advance! About

turn! Guards will march past in slow and

QuickTime. Left, slow March! So, the Colour has been trooped. We

move into the march past, where they will march past Her Majesty. This is

Nairac GC, written to commemorate a soldier killed by the IRA in 1967.

MUSIC: Nairac GC Composed by Watts/Lewis

This is what so many people come to see and admire, all around the

world, not just the Colour, not just the music, it is the precision and

that great military attention to detail. The great a few there are

one of the hallmarks of the guards, the bearskin, with all of its

practical challenges, Roland? Yes, this all that is rather elegant and

controlled. I can assure you, when they get into the quick march, this

is hot and noisy in the ranks with lots of jostling and cursing to keep

everybody on the move. As you can see, they are tightly packed,

shoulder to shoulder. They are being pushed left and right, encased in

those thick woollen tunics, hobnailed boot. That bearskin gives

you a curtain to mask your vision. As they stand there, they will be

relieved to get going. As long as nobody has an alarm skin taped

inside their bearskin, timed to go off, an age-old prank! When it gets

going, they will be straining to hear and reacts to their own

officers giving the word of command. They have a lot to think about, and

a lot to concentrate on. Looking on with great interest, David Cameron,

Samantha Cameron. So, the Nijmegen Company, Grenadier

Guards, today's Escort. Almost ready to move off and march past in slow

time. Led by the Field Officer in Brigade

Waiting, Charles Broughton, and the major of the parade, Major Richard

Green. The Queen acknowledging Nijmegen company. They first

Trooping the Colour in 2001. The Grenadier Guards, recognisable

by their single button. The Queen acknowledges the first

Regiment. A single button, white plumes and the grenade collar

emblem. So, the ensign raises the standard

again. It is known as the recover, having flourished, or lowered, it

initially. The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel of

the Grenadier Guards. How close is that relationship? It's a very

close. He means a huge amount of the regiment. As much to 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 so relaxed. As

a naval man, he is always teasing us about our Army ways. It's great to

see him on parade. He's had a very long association. Lent his support

to fundraising for those in need and has been a very active Colonel, this

year alone he has visited the battalion, he has hosted two

Battalion meetings and attended the first guards club.

MUSIC: Figaro Composed by Mozart

The Adjutant, Captain Paddy Rice, with a flourish of the sword, will

signal that this march in slow time is complete. An interesting story,

back in October 2009 comedies survived being shot in the neck by a

Caliban sniper. -- in October 2009, you survived being shot.

The Field Officer, riding out to salute the Queen. Slow march

complete. The 1st Battalion Coldstream guards, currently

deployed on operations in Afghanistan, providing protection in

couple for British and NATO headquarters and the Afghan Military

Academy. Nearly 300 men left in February. The battalion was not

referred to. They will return to their Windsor based in August. There

will be the last to serve before combat operations are brought to and

this year. He sent this message. I know the Grenadiers will do a

first-class job. I wish Lieutenant Colonel Charles Broughton and all of

his team the best of luck, as well as everybody on parade. Have a

cracking time, enjoy it. Her Maj is go to be watching and there is no

standard but perfection. I would like to wish my father, Sir James

Bucknell, and my brother the best of luck on today's parade. Although we

are a long way from home, our thoughts are with everybody back in

the UK. We wish you a very happy day, your Majesty. Happy birthday.

Birthday greetings for Her Majesty The Queen.

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

called Nijmegen Company. The guards preparing to march past in quick

time. A new sense of dynamism. The march composed by Lieutenant Colonel

Philip Hill. It was last played in 2001 at the Birthday Parade. Of

course, when Nijmegen Company were tripping. -- trooping.

A real sense of energy, a real sense of dynamism and purpose now for this

march past in quick time. The Queen 's company have returned

from the Falkland Islands. They are due to deploy in Kenya with the

battalion. On the parade ground, there are two Guardsmen, with number

two guard, injured serving in operations in Afghanistan on 2012.

He has served for two years, his first group. Lee Scanlon, he was

shot in Afghanistan, made a full recovery and was recently deployed

to Brunei on a training exercise. The Queen acknowledges the Colour

once again. The June is the Grenadier Guards Quick March.

company, it's the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman, 5th

November 1854. The music changes to the Quick March of the Scots Guards,

Hielan Laddie. The Coldstream Guards group march,

Milanollo. The majority of the Guardsmen are

quite junior really. 56 Coldstream Guardsmen on their first birthday

parade today, Jack O Hara is the youngest at 17.

Field Officer rides out again, salutes the Queen. The march past in

quick time is done. The Commanding Officer. A moment to pause for the

next phase of the parade. He told us how he's been preparing himself for

the task today. I started learning the words of command for the parade

about three months ago. Since then, it has been about rehearse,

rehearse, rehearse. The Duke of Edinburgh is our Regimental Colonel

and so to have him there on 14th June 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

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

Colonel Charles Broughton. Move to the right. Right turn!

Quick march! The footguards have reformed. It

will soon be the turn of the Mounted Troops to pass the saluting bass.

The Massed Bands march to one side clear ago path for the Mounted

Bands. A great sight. Lots of excitement

here on the Parade Ground, King's Troop moving on to the ground here.

Been on the parade now since 1998. The Troop kept the title King's

Troop on the orders of the Queen in memory of her father.

Major Mark Edward took command of the King's Troop in August 2011.

It's his fifth and last birthday parade. It's a great sight, Roland.

Very much so. Always glad to see the horses and guns, I have a personal

soft spot for them. A great-grandfather of mine started

out in the Horse Artillery. The lead gun treated as the Colour

of the Troop and given the same respect as the Guards' Colour. Those

guns are 13lbs, the real thing were used in action in the World War I.

At that time they were a revolution in portable artillery. One of these

guns here today is rumoured to have fired the first round at the Somme.

The Field Officer of the Sovereign's Escort, Major Lukas of the Blues and

Royals, he is riding Integrity today.

The Life Guards, captain Chishick took over as Adjutant last year. The

Farriers, in times gone by would despatch horses in battle.

This horse Nico was named after Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls who was

killed in Afghanistan in 2006. The King's Troop prepare for the

trot past. 75 horses on parade today. The saddle being used is

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

designed to be ridden for days at a time.

An interesting fact to watch here, as they come by you will see the

horses are ranked and graded according to colour. They start

light at the front and staidily get darker -- staid steadily get

starker. -- darker.

The standard this time not being lowered. The Queen acknowledges.

Blues and Royals, followed by the Life Guards in their Scarlett

tunics. Preparations for today going back

many weeks, of course. But just in practical terms today all of it

starting at 5. 30am this morning. Great care being taken down to the

last detail. 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 coat which has been unchanged since 1685. The drummers

there controlling the reins with their feet. It's a remarkable

performance by all the musicians considering they have to ride and

play. 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, making sure that everything

is in place ready to signal to the Field Officer that he is handing

back control. All the Household Cavalry are in position, getting

ready for the final birthday salute to the Queen.

Royal salute! Present arms. Slope arms. There is Garrison

Sergeant Major ready to give the signal that all is clear for the

Royal procession to leave. Field Officer approaches the saluting base

to seek Her Majesty's permission to march off. Your Madge he ise's

guards are form -- majesty's guards are formed up and ready for march

off. 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 and

in that first carriage the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and

the Duchess of Cornwall. They'll be looking forward to the much

anticipated traditional birthday fly-past by the Royal Air Force and

it is a really impressive fly-past in store today.

MUSIC: The Voice of the Guns Composed by Kenneth Alford

The music was written as a tribute to the British artillery men. It was

later adopted for the entire British Army. The Queen's carriage will

follow behind the band at the head of the troops.

As the parade draws to a close, it is worth mentioning two members of

the bands today. Davis buckles, it is his 24th parade. A nice

successful note to end on. Ralph Brill, it is his 29th. Is this

successful note to end on. Ralph you start to relax? It is when I

would start to relax. He has made it through, and I hope you can enjoy

the ride home. It has been said many times that this parade represents

the best standards of the Army. Is that a fair comment? I think it's

true. You have a link with what you see today, going back to the origins

of the British Army. Although many things change, some things don't.

The underpinning ethos of selfless commitment, putting yourself in for

the benefit of the team, it is what you see on a parade like this.

Everybody is here to show their loyalty, the high standards of

discipline. Very much so. Talking of continuity and stability,

discipline, there we have Her Majesty The Queen, who has just

celebrated her 88th birthday. Really, performing all her duties

with remarkable energy? Lots of smiles and waves. The Queen

and the Duke making their way back to Buckingham Palace. This tradition

started a century ago. It was established by George V.

I'm bound to mention the Welsh Guards, lots of my friends there

today. They were on horse got sprayed yesterday. 12 officers, 220

men lining the street today. They are unsung heroes? They will have

their moment in pride of place in the future. We have all taken our

time on the street lining your first out, last back. It is a long day,

the least glamorous of all the roles. But, in my experience, there

are some good banter, listening to the crowd. It's a good-natured day

out. We do this for the State opening of Parliament as well. As a

young officer, doing my best to keep the Guardsmen interested by feeding

them mint s, while adjusting their tunics. As you say, they will

command the parades for the first time next year.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh looking down to Buckingham Palace,

knowing full well that there is a greater fly-past on the way,

involving the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and the Red Arrows.

It's something we are going to enjoy in a short while. In the procession,

we have the regimental adjutants, including Barry Scott, Tom bonus of

the Welsh Guards and Timothy Purdon of The Irish Gurads. A word about

their importance? Yes, these are the wise men, the history of the

regiment. Very much a cohesive instrument. They keep watch from the

barracks. I think the most important thing that they do is oversee the

distribution of regimental charitable funds to those in need.

They also have an important role in officer recruiting.

We have been joined by Robert Hardman, the distinguished author.

Thanks for joining us this year. Your impressions, so far? It's one

of the great spectacles. You can see the size of the crowds. It is a

scene that never fails to inspire and excite. A lot of young people

out there, too. Great enthusiasm as Her Majesty makes her way around the

Queen Victoria Memorial and back into Buckingham Palace.

The Royal family, looking on from the balcony. The Queen, making her

way into the palace. Very soon, the fly-past will take place and we will

see them on the balcony again. In Green Park, we have had the Kings

Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, making their dramatic and colourful entry

to the park. Their 41 gun salute. 21 gun salute for the official birthday

of the monarchy. An additional salute, because they are in a Royal

Park. As the crowds flood down towards the palace, they are always

in to see the Queen and members of the Royal family on the balcony and

they are waiting to see the fly-past. Each year, on the Birthday

Parade, the final salute is in the skies. A roar can be heard above.

There we have the 41 gun salute in Green Park. There are salute is

taking place in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London.

The crowds, many thousands of them, waiting expectantly for the doors to

open on the palace balcony and the Royal family to appear.

Smiles from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, waves for those below.

The crowd realising it is about to happen, because the fly-past is

about to take place. Some six elements, the first element already

inside the support helicopter force, a Merlin, two Pumas and eight

Chinook. The RAF helicopters, providing

essential transport for troops and equipment, vital medical emergency

aid to NATO forces, including in Afghanistan. We see Princess

Eugenie, earlier in the week helping out the garden party. The Merlin and

Q Mass, seeing service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Puma 2, and the

chain often dashed Chinook have been in use for over 30 years. The great

sight of the Dakota from the RAF Memorial flight, based in

Lincolnshire. A tactical transport aircraft used during World War II,

and on D-Day, to carry troops and freight. We saw it in Normandy last

week, a great site, in the blue skies above or a.

The Lancaster, which suffered some problems while in France. The

engineers, led by Dean McAlister, working tirelessly around the clock

this week. That is the result. This great aircraft, flying at the

Queen's Birthday Parade, with two Spitfires. And the new Parkinson,

responsible for the RAF Memorial flight. Plenty of wonderful things

to take photos of. The eyes and ears of the RAF, flown

by 8 Squadron. Flanking it, two planes from RAF Northolt. The great,

bulky figure of the C17, from RAF Brize Norton, which can carry 38

tonnes of freight. Troops and other transport. And the Voyager,

especially adapted for a military role. Troop transport from

Afghanistan and elsewhere. Three Typhoons. Stand by for the Red

Arrows. A stream of red, white and blue in the skies above central

London and Buckingham Palace, to the Queen's obvious delight. 2014 is the

50th display season for the Red Arrows. It's great to see them. The

Korean enthusiastically thanking the crowd. -- the Queen. The Duke of

Edinburgh having a chat and sharing a joke with Prince Harry. The Queen,

and members of the Royal family, making their way back into the

palace. The Birthday Parade 2014, featuring the Grenadier Guards, is

at an end. From Suzi Perry, and my special guests, and all of the BBC

team, goodbye. Magnificent. The power base

of medieval England. Charles' ceiling was a piece

of breathtaking arrogance.