Highlights 2016 Trooping the Colour

Every year on a Saturday morning in June, the sovereign's official

birthday is celebrated in great style with the ceremony

This year, there's an added dimension, because this is the year

And the honour of Trooping the Colour in 2016 falls

So, stand by for a thrilling display at the Queen's Birthday Parade.

Good evening from our studio in Saint James 's Park. On this

exceptional weekend of celebration. Where we have enjoyed the pageantry

of the Queen's Birthday Parade and Her Majesty's 90th birthday. Earlier

this morning everything was set for the parade, the grand processional

route which darts at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Standard flying to

signal the Queens presence and leading to the vast expanse of Horse

Guards Parade, the world-famous stage for the ceremony. Each year

the sovereign's ceremony is honoured with the custom of Trooping the

Colour and the honour this year fell to the Coldstream Guards. Clare

Balding was at Wellington Barracks with the King's Troop Royal Horse

Artillery. This is a crucial stage of preparation, attaching six horses

to each gun. These act as the breaks, they are strong, chunky

animals. Further forward they get slightly more refined. No rains or

anything will get caught in that. It also makes them look sleek. It is

brilliant in terms of their attitude, these forces that you can

depend on. And you needed to because this is exactly how it would have

been in the First World War. Six guns saw service in World War I, 13

pounds. They have been polished to the nines. In perfect conditions. If

I needed a mirror to check my make-up I could see my reflection

here. They will perform a salute later. The King's Troop celebrated

its 300 th anniversary. The Queen went to Larks Hill to see them and

they will be doing their bit to mark the 90th birthday. Let's look at

Horse Guards Parade, a period of relative calm right now before the

ground is filled with marching and music. The hallmarks of the Birthday

Parade. Some of the talented musicians

of the Household Division We have the bands of the Welsh

Guards and the Scots Guards. They are soon to be joined

by their colleagues from the Irish, Our very own tradition on the day

of the Birthday Parade is to invite a guest to join us with direct

experience of the parade. This year I'm pleased to welcome

Brigadier Greville Bibby, who retired last year after 34 years

in the army. He is ? among many other

distinctions ? a former commanding officer of the 1st

Battalion Coldstream Guards. A warm welcome, great

to have you with us today. Delighted to be here,

one of my favourite days of the On The Mall, proudly making

their way from Wellington Barracks, this year's escort ? provided this

year by No 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, the oldest

regiment in continuous service in the British Army,

and one of seven regiments forming They are very much Her

Majesty's personal troops. Just a time to say something

about the transition between operational duty

and ceremonial duty. 2012 was the last time the battalion

was on They have been on operations

for the last four years, going to Afghanistan, Romania twice

on exercise, Kenya, Belize. It's only in the last few months

that they have rerolled Today they are lining under the

command of Alex Turner, he was commended for his service in

Afghanistan. They are lining the streets conscientiously today. The

Escort is making its way to the parade ground.

It's worth underlining that many of its members are new recruits.

It really is a high-profile way to start life in the regiment.

We joined them a few months ago as they arrived

at Wellington Barracks for the start of their time in No 7 Company.

The Guardsmen that have just arrived have just finished their phase two

training in Catterick and today we'll get them kitted out

I'm the senior master tailor for London district,

so I'm the guy who measures them up for their tunic,

their tweeds and their greycoat and then we'll send them off

to the storeman to get them into the sizes that I've

This'll probably last him for about a season.

We change into the greycoat in October and by

for tunics, this probably won't fit him and they would have

all changed body shape because they're all young lads.

So, this is probably the only season he'll have with this tunic.

Then I went through the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

It is tough but it builds you up to be the best,

especially joining the Coldstream Guards.

I've looked through them all and I can't seem to find

Nothing really fits my head at the moment.

Not too tight? No.

It's important that it's not too tight because otherwise we'll be

As you see here, it's looking a bit like ragtails because it's

So, get into the shower, wash it like you would your hair.

Wash some mild shampoo into it, which gives it a real clean

I feel happy now. Now I've got one, finally.

We're down at Pirbright to continue another day's troop training.

Given that the Sergeant Major's here today, he'll be making sure

that we've got our column distance between guards correct and we're

There are five members of the escort that are still under 18.

That's why it's on the back of your head.

Coming straight from school was a bit of a shock.

Training was definitely the hardest thing I've done.

The hardest thing to master is probably the forms

People are pushing down, pushing on you and people

get popped out of line, which knocks the whole line out.

And also if you go past the saluting line, Her Majesty

Because I'm the far left marker, I'm marking time for absolutely ages.

I'm standing on the front row, front left, so it's

It's my job to make sure that they're picking up on all the finest

of details so that by the time of the parade, there'll

Trooping the Colour is probably the toughest thing I've done so far.

Getting things right without being pointed out

I don't think there's going to be many more monarchs that

have a 90th Birthday Parade, so you've got grab it and it'll be

So, a memorable few months for those new recruits.

Some of them, including Guardsmen Orton, Brayley

and Cunningham, have earned a place in today's Escort,

taking centre stage today, as they prepare to face the crowds

and march smartly onto the Parade Ground.

They will do that in a few seconds time.

And marching with the Escort is Number 2 Guard, found

by Number 2 Company, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.

Now one of the prime features of this parade

is precision and exemplary collaboration.

It's the kind of teamwork that becomes

possible when everyone is determined to work together.

Ask anyone who is involved and they will tell you it is one

And the regiment's photo album was updated very recently.

We decided that this year, as we have a number

of key personalities who are Coldstream Guards on this

year's Queen's Birthday Parade, that we'd set up and take

I joined the Army in 1996 and was commissioned

I joined the Coldstream Guards in 1988, so about 28 years ago.

I joined the Coldstream Guards in 1994, so I'm now in my

I joined the Coldstream Guards in 1993 and I'd always

I joined the Army in 2007 and passed up from Sandhurst in 2008,

commissioning into the Coldstream Guards.

I joined the Coldstream Guards in August last year

We're a very special Regiment with a long and deep

There is a great and very powerful feeling of family

There's a phrase we have in the division, if you cut

someone they'll bleed blue, red, blue, which are our

I've known a lot of them in battle situations as well as clearly

Many of us have served together on operations in Iraq,

Afghanistan and further back in Northern Ireland.

We're primarily front-line infantry troops.

When you're on tour, you're living in each other's pockets.

You get to know your comrades extremely well.

There's lots of humour and lots of banter that goes on,

Of course, if you get into contact and the adrenaline starts flowing,

you know you can rely on the person left and right and you know

that the person next you would probably give

What makes the Coldstream special is just how

Today is sort of a family day and the idea is to get the soldiers

and their families to come so they get to see more

about what we do, they get to ask questions and it's an opportunity

They are desperate to get me to take them shooting at the wall.

This year we've kind of got the past, present and future

So, we have a number of recruits from Caterrick who are in various

We've got past members who've formed th evarious associations around

the country and also the serving members of the battalion,

so the three generations of Coldstream Guards are here today.

Just a step slightly over towards Senior John Major, please.

As the Regiment historians of the future look back on these

days, hopefully they'll have an understanding of some

of the people that served in the Regiment in our time,

so that those who are serving in the future can look back

and learn and ensure they understand what makes this Regiment proud

and some of the history that goes before them.

The photograph will be hanging in the respective officers'

and sergeants' mess and then quite possibly a copy to Her Majesty

as a birthday present from the Coldstream Guards

Here he is - the man who will be Field Officer in Brigade Waiting.

There have been late changes to the order of things. This is a late

draft? Yes, unfortunately the horse

I was due to ride two weeks ago went lame and I rode Grey Falcon for

the first time and he is the super sub today and I'm sure

he will deliver the How much do you worry about your

riding or is it about commends and what's going

on the parade square? I would be lying if I said I didn't

worry a little bit about my riding. I try to remain calm and not

transmit any nerves to the horse of the Household Cavalry

really looked after me There has been a lot of teamwork

across the Household division. Fingers crossed. I'm confident for

today. If I asked you whether you're

looking forward to, what's I am looking forward to,

it is nervous anticipation. It is an honour and the boys

and girls are all really looking forward to

the parade today and I hope we can OK, well I hope you put your

best foot forward and He is allowed a little bit of nerves

of course. We will be talking more

about the Commanding Officer later. The Colour Party is in place

and it's the Colour of the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards that's

being trooped today. The colour carries 44 of

the regiment's 113 battle honours - the oldest being Tangier in 1680,

and the most recent being So it's a notable honour

for the members of the Colour Party. The Sergeant of the Escort

is Sergeant Sam McAuley, it's his fifth birthday parade,

and he's marched with He's flanked by the two

Sentries to the Colour. Guardsman Mark Bazeley,

the Right Sentry. And Guardsman Jack Bazeley,

the Left Sentry. Yes, they look identical

in their uniform, We think this is the first

for the Colour Party at the Their parents and younger brother

are in the stands today. Clare has been talking

to their proud mum. I was up at 4.30am organising

everything and making sure we got everything, tickets, all the clothes

ready, dogs organised. What was your reaction

when the boys rang you to tell you they were both going to be

in the Colour Party? Initially shock, very

proud of them obviously. So for them to be doing this

initially in their first year is How old were they when

they decided they They were, you know,

a few dead end jobs and didn't really know

what they wanted to do and they came home

from town one day and, I don't think I spoke to them

for three or four days and I was in denial, but here we are today

and I couldn't be prouder. Having seen the effect it has had

on them, would you They are very

independent people now. Very tidy, very tidy,

when they come home, leave the Yeah, they're very

proud, very, very proud of what they're doing

and everything. They are identical twins

and they will be You know which side they will be on,

can you tell them apart? If they were standing

here, you would know by their personalities,

their personalities are different. There are a few different features,

very Well, they have done you proud

and wish them well today. At Buckingham Palace,

the first carriage procession We have the first carriage

procession. We have Prince Harry

and the Duchess of Cornwall, They were at the Service of

Thanksgiving at We have The Duke of York

and his two daughters. And then in the third

carriage, we have the At the Canada Gate, facing

the Palace, a very big knows is a very special

Birthday Parade to mark the Queen's Having celebrated her fifth wedding

anniversary earlier this year and Prince Harry, who has been very busy

this year with They took place in

Florida back in May. Took a lot of work and

a lot of preparation. Over 110 athletes from the UK

competed The Royal Salute is sounded

by Trooper Peter Chivers of the Blues and Royals ?

the Field Officer's trumpeter Also in the procession

are the three Royal Colonels. The Duke of Cambridge,

in his sixth year riding as Colonel The Prince of Wales, riding

as Colonel of the Welsh Guards ? a role he has fulfilled

for the past 41 years. The Princess Royal, Colonel

of The Blues and Royals ? a position They turned the corner into the

approach road. It means the first carriage is almost at the parade

ground. As the first carriage is approached

the parade ground, we will see that the guards' formation has changed.

Number three guard has opened up to make way for the first royal guests.

As they passed on to the parade ground, the band will play the

national anthem. Just to mark the arrival of the first guests today.

One of the best sites of the day, the sovereign's escort. Leading the

procession on The Mall is the Brigade Major. A lot of

responsibility on his shoulders today.

Leading the procession along The Mall is the Brigade Major ?

Lieutenant Colonel David Hannah of the Irish Guards.

It's his first parade in this role, and to think that as a 9 year-old

he visited Waterloo with his father, and that's what inspired him

Vixen is the charger I have been given for the Birthday Parade,

and indeed the various parades beforehand which serve

It's my first as Brigade Major, but I have been on parade

I have the task of leading the royal procession on to the parade,

and then around the parade during the inspection phase.

Much of my work has to be done well before the parade,

in terms of the planning, preparation, coordination

and helping to stitch it all together into what I hope

will be a memorable and successful Birthday Parade.

The Duke of Edinburgh, in the uniform of a colonel. He became the

kernel of the Grenadier Guards in 1975.

Signalling their arrival at the parade ground. We can hear lots of

energetic shouting and cries of support and flag waving in the youth

enclosure. Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade represented, then a contrast

in terms of age. We have the very dignified site of the Chelsea

Pensioners armour around a dozen of them today. Led by Rupert Lucas

captain. Their combine and age is 785, it is great to see them. As the

Queen arrives to enjoy this tradition, this summer tradition of

the official birthday, firmly established by Edward VII. Her

Majesty's carriage turning onto the parade ground. Head coachman Jack

Hargreaves getting ready to salute the collar in his unique way with

his whip. -- salute the Colour. Very experienced head coachman has

saluted the Colour. This is the formal start of Trooping the Colour

2016. The Queen's first task

is to inspect the line of guards. It is also an opportunity

for the Massed Bands The man in charge, Senior Director

of Music, this is his Music is the Banks

of the Green Willow. MUSIC: The Banks of the Green

Willow. The music changes to

Northumbrian Airs, a favourite of No Chief of all 7 regiments

of the Household Today she's wearing the brooch

of the Brigade of Guards in Uno, five joined in one featuring

the badges of the five The procession passes

the Sovereign's Standard The Household Cavalry is the only

regiments allowed to present a Sovereign's Standard

on today's parade. Inscribed on the Standard

are the regiment's Battle Honours The Standard is lowered

by the Standard Bearer, Squadron Corporal Major George

Sampson of the Blues and Royals. Today is the last parade

for Major General Ed Smyth-Osbourne, the officer commanding

the entire Household Divison. He's riding Jutland,

named after the First World War battle, the 100th anniversary

was commemorated last week Very soon it will be

turn of the Massed Bands of the Household Division

to introduce the next phase of the parade and the musicians

will be following the steps of the Senior Drum Major,

Scott Fitzgerald of his third year in

this important role. The mace these days is used

for drill movements. I would signal a spin-wheel

with the mace, mark time, halt, Historically, it was used

to clear the streets. When the drums and flutes

were going through the streets, the drum major would clear

the population out the way. Nowadays it holds all

the regimental battle honours. I really hope Her Majesty enjoys

the music for the Quick Troop. It's a special arrangement

of Happy Birthday, so hopefully she will be tapping her foot

and hopefully she'll pick out the Happy Birthday

within the arrangement Colour Sergeant Hancock

will be giving a signal. There it is. It is his final parade

after 30 years of service. The quick march is Royal Birthday

composed by Major Alf Young. Listen carefully for

the Happy Birthday theme! There we see the lone drummer,

Drummer Jason Pitman. He is acknowledged to be the best

drummer in the division. Marching to the right of the Escort,

ready for the next phase of the parade.

He is carrying a Coldstream bugle used in

the First World War by Drummer Aitken whose descendants are

Yes, this is a lovely moment for this young

Jason played the drums as a boy and he is what we call the lead

tip, the best drummer and he is the silver bugle,

which is the best bugler in the battalion.

The drummer plays eight bars of a field signal.

Orderly Guardsmen Mark Preston comes forward to take the

The subaltern of the Escort, Captain Freddie Russell,

gives the order for the Escort to take up their dressing in close

order ? a tighter formation for the march forward

The Escort steps off with great energy and purpose to the rousing

march of the British Grenadiers, on their way to escort the Colour,

showing the results of weeks of hard work.

The Sergeant Major will come forward in a minute.

This is the moment they have trained for for the last six months,

They are centre stage, nowhere to hide, and

everybody will be giving 100%, desperate for it to go well.

there will be checking their dressing and drill.

It's a matter of impressing all the people watching,

but a lot of expert eyes watching, and one

She will know whether it is good or not.

I'm really proud watching this, they look fabulous.

They will halt 16 paces in front of the Colour,

ready for the collection to take place.

He served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A career that started in 1993. He is

ready to hand the Colour over to the Ensign.

The transfer is made. He places it securely.

So we enter the central phase of this Birthday Parade

as the Escort prepares to troop the Colour through the ranks,

It's no longer the Escort for the Colour.

The Escort advances in slow time, to the tune Escort to the Colour,

which has been played at this point in the Parade since 1978,

and very soon the bands will have to negotiate

It's the military equivalent of a 3-point turn and it's

200 musicians, supported by 40 members of the corps of drums

and pipers, having to change direction without

And to put it mildly, it's a challenge.

It's always intrigued me, I've never understood how

I had the privilege of watching the Massed Bands rehearse

I was told that the instructions are not

I think the mystique is part of the thrill, but

they successfully achieve it every year.

The garrison Sergeant Major, the senior band major and senior

drum major are all Coldstream Guards.

I think that is probably another first.

The music changes to the familiar Grenadiers Slow March,

arranged by Fred Harris, as the Escort prepares

to Troop the Colour through the ranks.

We approach a deeply symbolic part of this

It's the spiritual heart of the parade.

All the Coldstreamers past and present watching will be feeling

The significance is that before the days of radio and modern

communications, the only way soldiers on a battlefield knew where

they needed to be was the following of the Colour.

So many soldiers were killed every day, the new recruits were

shown the Colour every morning so they knew

exactly which their Colour was and where their rally was.

It is such a big moment for the Ensign, 2nd

Lieutenant James Potter, who's 25 and from Salisbury, joined

the Army less than two years ago, and was commissioned

He's been telling us about the honour of being chosen.

When I heard I was Ensign, I was obviously ecstatic.

Quartermaster Sergeant, he produced a heavier practice colour.

So when I'm flourishing, I can get used to the actual feel of it.

To prepare, I think lots of it is just conditioning,

so definitely some extra time in the gym, working on the shoulders

to try and make sure they are up to the task on the day.

I do love being the centre of attention, I must admit.

And going over to collect the Colour in the middle of the parade,

I know that there is a slight pause and that's the moment

everyone's just watching me when everyone else is stood still.

So it's a good moment and I'm very much looking

Greville, you have been there, what are your thoughts?

I know it was 33 years ago, but I remember it so well.

This will possibly always be the biggest day

This is an opportunity for them to show off

We have the Corp of Drums led by Drum

Major Maurice Brown and we have got the Drums and Pipes,

They've got a lot of medals between them.

And it is just amazing how they can be soldiers and

MUSIC: Hazelmere composed by Drum Major Tom Birkett.

So the trooping phase is complete and the march

The neutral slow march is Old Coldstream Marches,

arranged by Lieutenant Colonel Trevor Sharpe,

for the Coldstream Guards in the 1960s and 1970s.

It has been used on numerous Birthday Parades.

People watching from the good vantage point of

Lady Louise and her father, the Earl of Wessex.

It's the perfect moment in the Parade to appreciate

the quality of teamwork and collaboration that's

vital on parade but also on the battlefield.

I have to say at this stage other parts of

the Army tend to take the

mick out of the Household Division for our ceremonial role.

But it is not easy, and to get everything right

relies on an extraordinary level of teamwork.

We might see a bit of it now, the Guardsmen in the middle of

the ranks, keeping the officer in line, the ranks working really

hard to try and keep a straight line, which they

We have the Company Sergeant Major who will tell the officer when

he is ready to do a left turn and, "Right, sir."

Here he goes, yeah, teamwork, all the way throughout the

parade and clearly, directly transferable on to

What does it take to get to this level of performance?

I think it is a combination clearly of practise,

Confidence in your own skills and ability to do it and

these guys work together on a daily basis and they know the whole Army

A big lesson in life for me and that's what it is about.

It is about the teamworking and nailing it together.

The Escort moves off, led by the Field Officer

in Brigade Waiting, Lieutenant Colonel James Thurstan

The Coldstream Guards Trooped their Colour for Her Majesty

the Queen for the first time 62 years ago in 1954 and today marks

the 16th occasion they have been granted this honour.

The Ensign raises the Standard known as the Recover

We have the Slow March of the Scots Guards Figaro for the F Company

The Adjutant of the Parade is Captain Olly Morley

of the Coldstream Guards, originally from Oxford,

commissioned from Sandhurst seven years ago and has served twice

in Afghanistan and is a former assistant equerry to The Queen.

The music changes to Long Live Elizabeth.

The Field Officer in Brigade Waiting,

Lieutenant Colonel James Thurstan rides out to salute

the Queen, now that the slow march is complete.

All around the stands, family members, including

A proud day with them with Second Lieutenant

James Potter closen as the Ensign, and Clare has been speaking to

We are very, very excited about the whole thing.

When James rang us and said that he was

going to be doing this, I think the three of us...

whoop, whoop, it was just so wonderful.

Justin, I know there is a fair bit of military

Did you expect James to go and follow various footsteps?

Although he is the fourth generation and we have a

large family sort of history as you say, it wasn't

until the second year at university that he expressed an

interest, but he has always made up his own mind, but once he made up

his mind to do it, that's what he wanted to do.

The importance of the support of family and friends and today's

parade is a constant reminder of that, Greville.

I can safely speak for every soldier, sailor and airman

when I say support from our family and friends is the single most

important thing for us when we're deployed on operations.

I will never forget the time when my wife who is

a serving soldier, went to Gulf War I.

That sense of being left behind is agony.

At this point, I would like to spare at the thought for those families

and friends living with the consequences of a loved one

being killed or injured and I mean it,

Huw, when I say, it is those families and friends that deserve

The neutral quick march is Great Little Army,

composed by Kenneth J Alford, considered to be one of the finest

The change of tempo is led by Lance Sergeant Neil Brocklehurst

of the Scots Guards, the Senior Time Beater.

A good moment to reflect on the style of the parade so far.

There might be other opinions in the

Major-General's office, but let's hear yours, Greville.

I think we are witnessing a fantastic parade.

The Massed Bands, the core of drums, as ever

The line I was talking about at the Arms Jill has

No 2 Guard is found by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.

The Captain of No 2 Guard is Major Oliver Biggs,

whose father Andrew was the Ensign in 1972

The Grenadier Guards quick march. They have the honour of providing

the Escort in 2014. The unmistakable quick march

of the Scots Guards. F Company is an incremental

company of Scots Guards, based in Wellington Barracks

and they've been involved in all the major ceremonial and

state occasions over the past year. The field officer is waiting.

Saluting once again with his sword. The commanding officer has a moment

to pause before the next stage of the parade.

He's been sharing his thoughts with us about the special honour

that today represents for him and his men.

My message to the guardsmen on the day would be to understand

the great thing that they're part of, and take the opportunity

to really be proud of that and show themselves off to,

most importantly, Her Majesty, for this her 90th birthday year.

And I hope that as I move forward to address Her Majesty

and inform her that her guards are ready to march off,

she will be happy with it, and hopefully even a smile.

And we can head on back up The Mall to Buckingham Palace so she can

MUSIC: Queen Elizabeth composed by Zehle.

The pipers always add a great sense of excitement to the Birthday

We are greatly looking forward to the next phase of the Parade ?

with the thrilling sights of the Household Cavalry

and the King's Troop and the Mounted Bands ?

The Massed Bands marching to one side.

Both horses, Clydesdale crosses, and both carrying solid

They weigh an enormous amount, and they are big,

Having seen them get ready this morning I

The 19th year they have been on parade, they joined

The first time on request of the Royal family

Their duties include the firing of royal gun salutes on

Royal anniversaries and state occasions.

Yesterday they fired a Royal salute to mark the Duke

Major Robert Skeggs is in command of the King's Troop

He took command in 2014. His second parade as commanding officer.

The Duke of Edinburgh was 95 yesterday.

Making the salute alongside Her Majesty.

The lead gun, prominently on display, is in effect the Colour

of the Troop, so it's accorded the same reverence

These 13 lb quick-fire guns entered service in 1904 and all six

of the guns on parade today were used in the Great War.

The Field Officer of the Sovereign's Escort

is Major Alex Owen of the Blues and Royals.

As field officer he commands the Household Cavalry troops on parade.

The Household Cavalry consists of two regiments,

The Blues and Royals and The Life Guards.

They are the two senior regiments of the British Army.

It's his job to control the speed during the rides

And at the rear, the Farriers, dressed in their dark blue tunics

They're the ones in times gone by who would despatch horses

The Field Officer's Trumpeter is Trooper Peter Chivers

His horse Otto is a grey, as in the past it helped

the trumpeters stand out on the battlefield.

The Household Cavalry break-in to trot now.

That's quite difficult, the horses have been sitting around,

Commanding Officer, Major Robert Skeggs once again

Major Skeggs is married to Nicola, who's the Regimental

Veterinary Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted

Regiment, in charge of the health of over 250 horses at Hyde Park

There is a high percentage of women in The King's Troop ?

currently around 47% of the soldiers are female.

Many of the men and women on parade today have seen active service

as they regularly reinforce other Royal Artillery Regiments ?

most recently they have served in operations

It almost makes the Parade Ground shudder when they come through in

They joined because they want to work with horses and they

There is a line of the masters of the troop formed up of the

Regimental Sergeant Major and the instructor

In trot, the first and Second Divisions

That kit that they wear is incredibly heavy.

When you take into account everything that they're wearing, but

There is not too much wind today, which helps.

If the wind gets under their tails, it can

make them more excitable, but you just want a bit of a breeze

The last time that the horses of the Household Cavalry were

used was in 1940, deployed to Palestine.

Major Craig Hallatt ? salute in their unique way ? the kettle

drummers cross their sticks ? as they pass the saluting base.

Major Hallatt ? who joined the Army 31 years ago ? composed two

of the pieces heard today ? "Majesty" and "Tangier

And by the way, among the musicians today is trombonist Richard Jones ?

the magician who won this year's Britain's Got Talent.

A rather different challenge for him today.

The musicians wear the state coat ? with its crimson velvet,

gold braid and lace ? the oldest ceremonial uniform in the regular

The Band halts, and the Director of Music

turns, signalling that he's handing back control to the Field Officer ?

for the final Birthday Salute to the Queen.

In close order, left and right, dress.

Making his way to the Approach Road as we approach the end of the parade

is Garrison Sergeant Major, London District, Warrant Officer

Class One, Andrew Stokes of the Coldstream Guards.

This is his first birthday parade in this very important role.

He joined the Army in 1988 and he has served around the world

in the meantime, including the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have to say he has impressed everyone with his

meticulous preparation for today's parade.

Field Officer will ask Her Majesty's permission to march off to conclude

Your Majesty, this year on behalf of all ranks

of the House Hold division may I wish you and His Royal

Your Royal Guards are ready to march off, ma'am.

Not just asking permission to march off, but a birthday greeting on

behalf of all the ground troops for the Commanding Officer and for the

So, as the Commanding Officer takes his position, first carriages are

leaving Horse Guards for the return to Buckingham Palace.

The first carriage the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge

So some rousing and energetic music, Mauritania.

This is the moment, Greville, where the Queen will be

reflecting on what the parade has been like.

The Duke of Edinburgh no doubt has his views too.

The Field Officer, as we can see, joining this procession.

And to what extent do you think the verdict is clear at

I think Her Majesty will have reached a pretty sound conclusion.

I think she is going to have loved it.

From my prospective, I thought it looked

Well, this tradition of the monarch leading the Guards back to

Buckingham Palace was established by George V back in 1914.

The Parade had become increasingly popular

so it was decided to provide an even more impressive experience

There are many thousands here for this 90th Birthday Parade.

Nice weather, enjoying the fact lots of crowds out there today.

A good moment, gravel, to underline the

very solid relationship between the Queen and the troops of the

When I mentioned earlier that the Coldstream had

performed in 1650 and 1661, when we became loyal to the crown

under King Charles II, that's how far back it

The clue is in the title, we are the Household Division, Her

Majesty's on troops, the monarch's own troops.

That's borne out today when

we get the opportunity to parade in front of her.

We have the guards, many of them Coldstream Guards,

underlining once again the close relationship the Queen has with

service men and women, and has had throughout her reign.

The relationship between the Queen and Armed Forces

We have been looking back at the bond with the military.

Wearing the gold grenade badge of the Grenadiers in her hat,

Princess Elizabeth makes her first military inspection.

And the final posed picture, taken at the end of the review,

may be regarded as a record of the first official

occasion in the life of England's future Queen.

His Majesty was accompanied by Princess Elizabeth

for the birthday ceremony of Trooping the Colour.

Before the age-old Tower, the guns speak.

At Spithead, the Royal Yacht Britannia steamed proudly

The Ensign for the Queen's colour is Lieutenant Philip Whitehead.

May God bless her and all who sail in her.

I know I speak for all those who have the privilege

to wear your uniform and hold your commission

when I thank you for your dedication to our service and to our country.

Three cheers for Her Majesty The Queen!

The King's Troop ready to fire their salute.

The impressive salute being fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse

Artillery as they do every year for the Queen's Birthday Parade.

This year, special interest given a 90th

birthday, and there are very big crowds in Green Park and St James's

Park here, and as we look around on the mall itself.

Robert Hardman of the Daily Mail and Greville with me.

The Queen leading the Royal family out

onto the balcony for this wonderful scene.

first public appearance from Princess Charlotte, waiting in the

The Queen acknowledging the applause of this enormous crowd.

The Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales.

Everybody waiting patiently for the fly past.

We can already feel the presence of some helicopters

Four helicopters, led by the Chinook, a

Griffin, a Puma and an Augusta 109 SP.

The great Chinook, continuously deployed in operations around the

Princess Charlotte having a look to the sky

There will be a big round of applause and delight

when I'm sure people see the Spitfire and Hurricane.

The iconic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

C-130 Hercules and two pilot trainers.

Thundering through the sky above Buckingham Palace.

Hercules, it is the 50th anniversary of the Hercules being operated by

Two tornadoes accompanying the Air Seeker.

We have the great big Voyager, it is 200-feet long.

And that really is a very big presence in the skies above St

The Royal Air Force aero aerobatic team.

My word, that was quite a sight and lots of

I think it is safe to say that the Queen and other

members of the Royal Family thoroughly enjoyed one of the

biggest fly-pasts we have seen for many years on the Queen's

So the Queen and three generations of the Royal

Family make their way back into the Palace

and the Birthday Parade 2016 in the Queen's 90th year

An equally impressive performance by the Royal Air Force

with a fly-past to enjoy the day's events.

For now, from my special guests, thank you both. Everyone from the

BBC team, thank you for watching and goodbye.

MUSIC: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity by Holst

MUSIC: Love Theme from Romeo And Juliet by Tchaikovsky

MUSIC: Land Of Hope And Glory by Elgar

Tickets for this year's Proms are on sale now.

Go to bbc.co.uk/proms to find out more.