:00:08. > :00:10.Everything is set for one of the great state events
:00:11. > :00:13.of the season and for the first time in eight years it is the turn
:00:14. > :00:15.of the Irish Guards to troop their colour.
:00:16. > :00:19.They will be inspired by the sound of the pipes and the drums
:00:20. > :00:23.and by the sight of the regimental mascot, Domhnall.
:00:24. > :00:25.All set then for the music and the majesty of the
:00:26. > :01:02.And on this day of celebration, Her Majesty is mindful of the tragic
:01:03. > :01:04.recent events in London and Manchester has issued
:01:05. > :01:15.This year it is difficult to escape a very
:01:16. > :01:19.In recent months, the country has witnessed a succession
:01:20. > :01:24.As a nation, we continue to reflect and pray for all those who have been
:01:25. > :01:26.During recent visits in Manchester and London,
:01:27. > :01:29.I have been profoundly struck by the immediate inclination
:01:30. > :01:31.of people throughout the country to offer comfort and support
:01:32. > :01:37.Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in
:01:38. > :01:42.United in our sadness, we are equally determined,
:01:43. > :01:45.without fear or favour, to support all those rebuilding
:01:46. > :01:51.lives so horribly affected by injury and loss.
:01:52. > :01:57.That was the statement issued by Buckingham Palace on the morning
:01:58. > :02:01.of her official Birthday Parade and the Queen will be leading
:02:02. > :02:04.a national one minute's silence at 10.45am before the parade
:02:05. > :02:09.Well, that parade will begin shortly at Horse Guards.
:02:10. > :02:13.Bathed in sunshine today for the ceremony of Trooping
:02:14. > :02:21.the Colour, a tradition that spans more than two centuries.
:02:22. > :02:23.This year's Escort provided by the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
:02:24. > :02:29.They have been working so hard in preparation for this parade.
:02:30. > :02:33.The crowds, thousands of people, in the stands around Horse Guards,
:02:34. > :02:35.many of them relatives and friends of those taking part
:02:36. > :02:40.and there is a very strong Irish presence among them.
:02:41. > :02:43.The regimental mascot making his way towards the Horse Guards building.
:02:44. > :02:47.We are looking forward to an impressive parade.
:02:48. > :02:49.Let's join Sonali Shah with the Household Cavalry
:02:50. > :03:05.For some of the soldiers it has been a 4.30am start.
:03:06. > :03:07.There are two regiments the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards.
:03:08. > :03:12.This year it is the turn of the Life Guards to take the lead.
:03:13. > :03:15.What happened this morning is they made sure they came down
:03:16. > :03:17.to check the horses, any that were nervous,
:03:18. > :03:20.They went out for an early ride and then
:03:21. > :03:22.it was back here, for all the grooming.
:03:23. > :03:27.We've lot liming going on to make sure the hooves are dry.
:03:28. > :03:30.And bandaging up the tail to make it look pristine.
:03:31. > :03:33.Some of the horses are very much ready.
:03:34. > :03:39.There is no over exuberance here which bodes well for the parade.
:03:40. > :03:51.We're joined by a special guest with first-hand experience of taking
:03:52. > :03:53.part in the Birthday Parade, Brigadier Christopher.
:03:54. > :04:07.We found this reminder of your day on parade back in 1996.
:04:08. > :04:10.While we admire this and think of all the style that
:04:11. > :04:12.you showed on the day, what are your thoughts looking ahead
:04:13. > :04:16.Well, Huw, seeing the footage from 1996 brings all the memories
:04:17. > :04:18.back and I can clearly remember our feelings of pride
:04:19. > :04:21.and excitement which I know everybody on parade will be feeling
:04:22. > :04:24.today, like all Irish Guardsmen, I'm looking forward to something
:04:25. > :04:28.21 years ago, we put in a considerable amount of work
:04:29. > :04:31.for our day and I'm sure today's Irish Guardsmen will
:04:32. > :04:43.They will want to show off the skill and panache that is the hallmark of
:04:44. > :04:51.The Irish Gurads. The troops on tread today have had
:04:52. > :04:55.relatively little time to prepare. We caught up with the guardsmen
:04:56. > :04:57.at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright -
:04:58. > :05:00.where they rehearse in all weathers Today, we're here in Pirbright,
:05:01. > :05:04.which is where we do quite We spend a lot of time
:05:05. > :05:08.on this square behind me. My advice to any guards when they're
:05:09. > :05:13.struggling on the day Keeping that many people
:05:14. > :05:18.in a straight line is quite hard. Giving a glance out of your left eye
:05:19. > :05:21.to make sure you're in line The main reason we are one of the,
:05:22. > :05:26.if not the, best army in the world is because of our discipline
:05:27. > :05:28.in the battlefield. There's no better way
:05:29. > :05:30.to display that discipline You get a cautionary word of command
:05:31. > :05:35.and an executionary word of command. The cautionary word is telling
:05:36. > :05:43.the soldiers that they're about to act, so it would be a long
:05:44. > :05:46.drawn out command like... And then your executionary word
:05:47. > :05:52.will be short, sharp word. After the tragic events
:05:53. > :06:15.in Manchester, we paused the preparations for the Queen's
:06:16. > :06:17.birthday parade and many of the troops who will be on parade
:06:18. > :06:20.found themselves standing shoulder-to-shoulder
:06:21. > :06:21.with a policeman in Windsor and London, guarding locations
:06:22. > :06:24.as a result of the threat level The Major General commanding
:06:25. > :06:37.the Household Division was rightly full of praise for the boys,
:06:38. > :06:40.not only for what they did, but how quickly they've readjusted
:06:41. > :06:43.to make sure that we can deliver, not just our operational
:06:44. > :06:45.commitments, but also keep delivering on the Queen's
:06:46. > :06:46.Birthday Parade. Be agressive and be disciplined
:06:47. > :06:50.in everything you do. You're there, when you see
:06:51. > :06:54.the crowd, you know your family are there in the stands to support
:06:55. > :06:57.you and obviously Her Majesty is She's there to celebrate her
:06:58. > :07:01.birthday, which is a real honour. Well, thankfully there is no need
:07:02. > :07:13.to worry about the rain, but the Irish Guards will have
:07:14. > :07:16.to deal with serious heat in London today and their Commanding
:07:17. > :07:18.Officer Jonathan Palmer You are in charge
:07:19. > :07:22.of giving the crucial words I want to get it right
:07:23. > :07:28.for the boys whose parade it is. I'm very much looking
:07:29. > :07:30.forward to you riding. You only started
:07:31. > :07:32.riding six months ago. You haven't had long with
:07:33. > :07:34.Wellington, are you getting on OK? I'm indebted to the Household
:07:35. > :07:36.Cavalry Regiment whose instructors And these are the guards that he
:07:37. > :07:50.will be commanding on parade today. The support company of the 1st
:07:51. > :07:53.Battalion Irish Guards They are the stars of
:07:54. > :07:59.the parade in many ways, They are providing men for number
:08:00. > :08:08.two guard and number three guard. The Irish Guards were
:08:09. > :08:09.the fourth regiment which explains why the buttons
:08:10. > :08:25.are arranged in groups of four and there is the green
:08:26. > :08:27.plume of St Patrick. Number six guard, found
:08:28. > :08:32.by the Coldstream Guards who trooped their Colour
:08:33. > :08:35.successfully last year. The Coldstream Guards are providing
:08:36. > :08:40.the street liners for this year. Found by F Company Scots Guards,
:08:41. > :08:45.that's an independent And number 4 guard, found
:08:46. > :08:52.by Nijmegen Company, created in 1994 to carry the colours
:08:53. > :08:56.of the second suspended battalion. The Welsh Guards are
:08:57. > :09:00.represented by the musicians. Many of them led by
:09:01. > :09:02.the Senior Director Norman Hunter is taking part
:09:03. > :09:14.in his 24th Birthday Parade. And as the Senior Director
:09:15. > :09:16.of Music will confirm - a great deal of thought goes
:09:17. > :09:19.into the music that is performed every year -
:09:20. > :09:21.more than 30 pieces of music - chosen after a careful process -
:09:22. > :09:27.a rather obscure process - but this year we've been allowed
:09:28. > :09:29.a glimpse of how it Music for the Queen's Birthday
:09:30. > :09:39.Parade is incredibly important, because if the guardsmen have a real
:09:40. > :09:42.strong beat as they go round, Today has been the selection process
:09:43. > :09:49.for choosing the music I think it's very important
:09:50. > :09:55.to reflect the Irish element of the parade,
:09:56. > :09:57.because trooping our own colour doesn't come around very often,
:09:58. > :10:00.so it's very important to get it The key Irish tunes
:10:01. > :10:08.in there are great to have. I mean, it's
:10:09. > :10:10.a traditional Irish air. I've sung all of these songs
:10:11. > :10:13.to my children and I know that all of the Irishmen
:10:14. > :10:16.who are marching, it will mean a great deal to them to hear this
:10:17. > :10:19.and it will really resonate with people watching,
:10:20. > :10:21.to the extent that I would say that people would be quite surprised,
:10:22. > :10:24.delighted to hear them played It's a bit sort of fairground.
:10:25. > :10:48.Yes. Absolutely.
:10:49. > :10:51.It sounds like a barrel organ. A piece I've composed
:10:52. > :11:02.especially for this parade is called Messines Ridge and,
:11:03. > :11:04.almost to the day, commemorating 100 MUSIC: "Messines Ridge"
:11:05. > :11:14.by Maj Bruce Miller. There were representatives
:11:15. > :11:16.from both north and south If Her Majesty was tapping her foot
:11:17. > :11:25.to my music on the day, it would be a wonderful feeling
:11:26. > :11:27.and a great send-off You're going to get a huge
:11:28. > :11:38.uplift there, it'll be And a lot going on all
:11:39. > :11:44.the way through. So, yeah, we'll go
:11:45. > :11:46.for Messines Ridge. Rather fascinating insight
:11:47. > :11:54.into the selection of music We are looking forward to hearing
:11:55. > :12:06.Messines Ridge later. Protecting the Colour
:12:07. > :12:13.which was presented to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards
:12:14. > :12:18.by Her Majesty in 2009. The regiment's 21 Battle Honours
:12:19. > :12:20.featured on the colour, What an honour, the honour
:12:21. > :12:27.of protecting the colour goes to two colour sentries -
:12:28. > :12:30.Guardsmen Anthony Coates on the It's a great day for them
:12:31. > :12:39.and Colour Sergeant Vince Hockley. This is his first Birthday Parade,
:12:40. > :12:42.despite the fact he has put in 18 I have to say, something
:12:43. > :12:47.of a miracle that Vince is with us today, because
:12:48. > :12:49.he suffered terrible injuries in Afghanistan
:12:50. > :12:51.back in 2010 when he and four others Chris,
:12:52. > :12:58.you know Vince Hockley. You indeed know the circumstances of
:12:59. > :13:01.what happened on that dreadful day. Well, indeed, Huw, it is a great
:13:02. > :13:03.moment for Colour Sergeant Vince Hockley and his presence
:13:04. > :13:05.here is remarkable. I was his Commanding Officer
:13:06. > :13:08.in Afghanistan and I was there when he was taken off the medical
:13:09. > :13:15.evacuation helicopter and seeing him then when I saw him,
:13:16. > :13:17.it was questionable and the skill and the care
:13:18. > :13:23.of the medical staff and I also like to remember
:13:24. > :13:25.Guardsmen Christopher Davis and Lance Sergeant Mark
:13:26. > :13:27.Burgan, who were killed
:13:28. > :13:33.on that tour of Afghanistan. A great sight along the Mall
:13:34. > :13:36.which is decked in Union flags for this Birthday Parade
:13:37. > :13:38.and the Royal Standard, prominently Following the recent loss of life
:13:39. > :13:42.at the Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, west London,
:13:43. > :13:45.and the loss of life in those dreadful terror attacks
:13:46. > :13:51.in London and Manchester. The Queen has issued
:13:52. > :13:56.the statement today to say that what is traditionally a day
:13:57. > :13:59.of celebration is clearly also a day where we must reflect
:14:00. > :14:02.the sombre mood of the nation So the decision was taken
:14:03. > :14:09.by Her Majesty to lead a one minute silence before
:14:10. > :15:28.the Birthday Parade gets under way. The Duchess of Cornwall
:15:29. > :15:50.and Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge in the first carriage,
:15:51. > :15:53.emerging from the Palace on a sunny but rather sombre morning,
:15:54. > :15:55.following that national silence And then we have in the second
:15:56. > :15:59.carriage, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex and the Duke
:16:00. > :16:10.of York's daughters. we have the Duke and Duchess
:16:11. > :17:00.of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. The Royal Salute is founded
:17:01. > :17:02.by the Field Officer's Trumpeter Of The Sovereign's Escort,
:17:03. > :17:05.Joe Gregg of the Life Guards. This year, the Queen
:17:06. > :17:08.celebrated her 91st birthday in April and is attending her 65th
:17:09. > :17:11.Birthday Parade as sovereign - a record unmatched
:17:12. > :17:16.by a British monarch. 2017 also marks the first-ever
:17:17. > :17:19.Sapphire Jubilee for a British monarch, passing the remarkable
:17:20. > :17:29.milestone of 65 years on the throne. At Her Majesty's side
:17:30. > :17:31.once again this year, the Duke of Edinburgh,
:17:32. > :17:33.who celebrated his 96th The Royal household announced last
:17:34. > :17:41.month that the Duke would not be undertaking public engagements
:17:42. > :17:44.from the autumn, stepping back from lots of his commitments
:17:45. > :17:47.that he had over the years. But he is here today in his capacity
:17:48. > :17:52.as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. But for the first time
:17:53. > :17:55.at the parade, he is not Followed in the procession
:17:56. > :18:01.by the Royal Colonels, the Princess Royal on the left,
:18:02. > :18:04.there, who is the Colonel of the Blues and Royals,
:18:05. > :18:10.a position she has held since 1998 as Colonel of the Welsh Guards,
:18:11. > :18:14.a role he has undertaken A very special year for him,
:18:15. > :18:21.because it is his regiment who will be trooping
:18:22. > :18:31.the Colour today. The first section of carriages
:18:32. > :18:41.arriving at Horse Guards Parade, And we can see that the guards'
:18:42. > :18:44.formation has changed because number three guard has opened to make way
:18:45. > :18:47.for the first Royal guests, as the band prepares to play
:18:48. > :18:50.the national anthem to greet them. And then the Royal party
:18:51. > :18:52.will have the best view in the house, really,
:18:53. > :18:54.watching the parade from the Major General's office
:18:55. > :18:56.overlooking Horse Guards, the office once used
:18:57. > :19:04.by the Duke of Wellington. A great sight on the Mall
:19:05. > :19:31.and the Brigade Major, David Hannah of the Irish Guards,
:19:32. > :19:37.followed by four troopers of the lifeguards, leading
:19:38. > :19:44.the sovereign's procession. The Duke of Edinburgh has enjoyed
:19:45. > :19:46.a very long connection Today's events, of course,
:19:47. > :19:50.a celebration of Her Majesty's official birthday, the tradition
:19:51. > :19:52.established by Edward VII because his actual birthday fell
:19:53. > :19:57.in November so he chose June as a much more promising month
:19:58. > :20:00.in which to hold a Birthday Parade It was in 1947 that
:20:01. > :20:13.Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, took part in her first parade
:20:14. > :20:16.as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. In 1951, when the king was ill,
:20:17. > :20:20.she took his place on Horse Guards. A year later, riding
:20:21. > :20:22.a horse called Winston, She has been here every year
:20:23. > :20:31.since then, with the exception of 1955, when there was a rail
:20:32. > :20:34.strike, and, every year, The Queen's coachman this year is
:20:35. > :20:45.Philip Barnard Brown from Melbourne. Philip has been at the Royal Mews
:20:46. > :20:49.for 16 years and we believe he is the first Australian
:20:50. > :20:53.to achieve the position Among those watching in the stands
:20:54. > :21:01.are 11 Chelsea Pensioners, They are looking very smart
:21:02. > :21:17.in their coats and tricorn hats. The Queen's carriage is crossing
:21:18. > :21:25.on to the parade ground. The head coachman will salute
:21:26. > :21:30.the Colour with his whip. And the Queen's Birthday Parade
:21:31. > :21:33.of 2017 is about to begin. The Field Officer will give
:21:34. > :21:38.his command and then The Queen's first task
:21:39. > :23:05.is to inspect the line of guards. It is an opportunity
:23:06. > :23:24.for the Massed Bands to entertain. Music for the slow inspection has
:23:25. > :23:27.been arranged for today's parade by the Irish Guards current Director
:23:28. > :24:37.of Music, Major Bruce Miller. The music changes to feature
:24:38. > :24:42.Kerry Dance and Sweet Dublin Bay. The Queen is Colonel-In-Chief of all
:24:43. > :24:58.the regiments on parade today. The Standard Bearer
:24:59. > :25:07.is Corporal Major Daniel Sentance who returned to ceremonial duties
:25:08. > :25:09.last year after three The procession continues
:25:10. > :25:23.past the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery -
:25:24. > :25:27.commanded by Major Jim Luck - whose members will be making
:25:28. > :25:31.a grand entrance later on - their lead gun is in effect
:25:32. > :25:37.their regimental Colour. The officer in charge of the entire
:25:38. > :25:39.Household Division - and general officer commanding
:25:40. > :25:41.London District - is Major-General Ben Bathurst -
:25:42. > :25:43.who commanded this parade He shared his thoughts
:25:44. > :25:47.on his new role. Well, it's a huge privilege
:25:48. > :25:50.as the Major-General commanding the Household Division and I think,
:25:51. > :25:55.particularly given this year, only so recently we've been
:25:56. > :25:59.conducting Operation Temperer, so all the soldiers you will see
:26:00. > :26:01.going past were, just a couple of weeks ago,
:26:02. > :26:03.assisting the police I'll think of all the men
:26:04. > :26:09.and women on parade, how they do their jobs,
:26:10. > :26:11.whatever they are asked to do, So it's a first parade
:26:12. > :26:20.for Major-General Bathurst - but it's a final Birthday Parade
:26:21. > :26:24.as senior Director of Music Lt Col Kevin Roberts
:26:25. > :26:26.of the Welsh Guards after three It's important we get the music
:26:27. > :26:40.right so it reflects the various elements and it lifts people
:26:41. > :26:48.where it needs to. I need to keep an element in my mind
:26:49. > :26:51.focusing on the words I'm hoping that I can rely
:26:52. > :26:55.on my experience to really enjoy and savour this,
:26:56. > :27:10.my last parade. A big moment now for
:27:11. > :27:12.the Massed Bands getting the parade proper under way as they prepare
:27:13. > :27:15.to perform one of the real highlights of the parade
:27:16. > :27:20.for over a century. With that raised trombone,
:27:21. > :30:05.the band will get ready for that Massed Bands, by the
:30:06. > :31:59.centre, quick march! The familiar figure
:32:00. > :32:05.of Major Scott Fitzgerald in his final Birthday Parade
:32:06. > :32:07.ordering Messines Ridge He is from Ballymoney
:32:08. > :32:34.in Northern Ireland. He is acknowledged to be the best
:32:35. > :32:37.drummer in the regiment. He is getting ready for the next
:32:38. > :34:22.phase of the parade. The drummer playing eight
:34:23. > :34:24.bars of a field signal called the Drummer's Call,
:34:25. > :34:27.recalling an age when field signals The orderly, Guardsman Rainey,
:34:28. > :34:44.who is from Birmingham, marching two years ago,
:34:45. > :34:46.comes forward to take the paste it from Regimental Sergeant Major
:34:47. > :34:49.Daniel Hinton who can then draw his sword ready to protect
:34:50. > :34:51.the Colour in the next Escort for the Colour,
:34:52. > :35:22.by the left, quick march. The Escort stepping off very
:35:23. > :35:27.smartly to The March Of The British Grenadiers,
:35:28. > :35:29.a good opportunity for the men to stretch their legs
:35:30. > :35:34.and show their style and flair Big moment for the Escort,
:35:35. > :35:43.a really proud moment, they have spent hours
:35:44. > :35:46.preparing for this. Drawn from the Support Company,
:35:47. > :35:48.the more experienced soldiers in the battalion,
:35:49. > :35:52.highly unusual for them to provide the Escort and they won
:35:53. > :35:55.the privilege in a drill competition and today is their reward,
:35:56. > :35:58.and when you talk to the men in the Escort, thinking back
:35:59. > :36:01.to the idea it is a unique honour and although you may do several
:36:02. > :36:04.of the Birthday Parades than once, making today a real
:36:05. > :36:09.career highlight for each So the Escort marches forward
:36:10. > :36:36.and they will stop some 16 paces from the Colour Party,
:36:37. > :36:38.ready for the collection Escort for the Colour,
:36:39. > :37:07.in open order, right dress. The Massed Bands, turning
:37:08. > :37:18.to face the Colour Party and the senior director,
:37:19. > :37:20.Kevin Roberts, making his way through the band to a new position,
:37:21. > :37:33.close to the front. And this is a very proud moment
:37:34. > :37:35.for Regimental Sergeant Major Daniel Hinton as he now prepares to take
:37:36. > :37:40.possession of the Colour, protecting it with his sword,
:37:41. > :37:43.ready to hand it over in safety to the Ensign, Second
:37:44. > :37:46.Lieutenant O'Connor, who will then troop the Colour
:37:47. > :38:20.through the ranks. Second Lieutenant O'Connor,
:38:21. > :38:27.today's Ensign, receives the Colour ready for the trooping,
:38:28. > :38:31.and places it safely The Ensign and Sergeant Major resume
:38:32. > :39:38.their positions in the Escort, and we have now entered a new phase
:39:39. > :39:41.in the parade because having taken possession, they have become
:39:42. > :39:58.the Escort to the Colour. Escort to the Colour,
:39:59. > :40:20.by the centre, slow march. So, the Escort advances now in slow
:40:21. > :40:25.time, the bands playing Escort To The Colour
:40:26. > :40:29.by Richard Ridings, which has been played at this point
:40:30. > :40:31.ever since 1978. the bands will have to negotiate
:40:32. > :40:37.what everyone acknowledges This is the military equivalent
:40:38. > :40:52.of a three-point turn, they say, known as the Spin Wheel,
:40:53. > :40:57.200 musicians supported by the Corps of Drums,
:40:58. > :41:05.having to change direction without changing formation.
:41:06. > :41:07.Among them is Drum Major Smiley of the Irish Guards,
:41:08. > :41:10.and he wants us to know Brandon is watching the parade
:41:11. > :41:19.at home in Datchet, and of course, other people watching from different
:41:20. > :41:21.vantage points, like the Duchess of Cornwall, there,
:41:22. > :41:23.in the Major-General's office The music changes to
:41:24. > :41:55.the Grenadiers Slow March written by Frederick Harris,
:41:56. > :41:59.the Escort Trooping the Colour through the ranks, the symbolic
:42:00. > :42:04.foundation of this parade, the specific honour is to parade
:42:05. > :42:07.the regimental standard or Colour as a rallying point as armies have
:42:08. > :42:35.done through the centuries. All eyes, of course, on the Ensign,
:42:36. > :42:40.Her Majesty looking in great detail, and the audience, and the millions
:42:41. > :42:43.of viewers around the world, Second Lieutenant O'Conor,
:42:44. > :42:44.who was commissioned He's been telling us
:42:45. > :42:48.about the honour of being chosen and how he's been preparing for this
:42:49. > :42:57.very prominent role in the parade. I'm very much aware
:42:58. > :43:09.of the significance of the colours. For the Irish Guards,
:43:10. > :43:12.it is a great opportunity to show off our regiment and history
:43:13. > :43:14.to the public and hopefully A lot of hard work has
:43:15. > :43:18.gone into this, Chris, not just for the Ensign
:43:19. > :43:21.but for all of those taking part in the parade, as you know,
:43:22. > :43:24.having taken part yourself. Absolutely, and memories
:43:25. > :43:26.of 21 years ago fresh, the Colour as the central part
:43:27. > :43:31.in the parade today and it is the central
:43:32. > :43:33.part of the battalion, it has enormous significance,
:43:34. > :43:37.not only for the Irish Guards past and present, the people on parade
:43:38. > :43:40.today, but it is a consecrated symbol of the Battalion
:43:41. > :43:42.of the regiment, it was used hundreds of years ago as a rallying
:43:43. > :43:46.point in battle, and the act of Trooping the Colour was to ensure
:43:47. > :43:50.that every man knew what his Colour looked like, so today as much
:43:51. > :43:53.as then, Colours are revered as a central part of the battalion,
:43:54. > :43:56.and to all those on parade, it represents the spirit
:43:57. > :43:59.and the soul of the regiment. Those who have been killed
:44:00. > :44:02.in action, our past achievements, and it provides an enduring link
:44:03. > :44:07.to the monarchy, as the Queen, our Colonel in Chief,
:44:08. > :44:09.presents the colours, so a really proud moment
:44:10. > :44:12.for the Ensign as he troops the Colour in front
:44:13. > :44:25.of his fellow guardsmen. The Escort arriving alongside Number
:44:26. > :44:27.2 Guard and then passing to its original position,
:44:28. > :44:30.the right guide of number two guard, Numbers one to five
:44:31. > :45:49.guards will retire. The music was composed after
:45:50. > :46:20.the Second World War by Tom Birkett of the Coldstream Guards
:46:21. > :46:23.as we prepare for the next phase Numbers one to five
:46:24. > :47:00.guards will advance. So, the trooping phase
:47:01. > :47:29.is complete and the march It is not tied to any
:47:30. > :47:38.particular regiment and that It is another composition
:47:39. > :47:42.by Major Bruce Miller MUSIC: "Proud Heritage"
:47:43. > :47:58.by Bruce Miller. The 1st Battalion Irish Guards based
:47:59. > :48:02.in Hounslow and employed in state ceremonial public duties and support
:48:03. > :48:04.company, as Chris you were saying, a very important
:48:05. > :48:06.part of that effort? Support company man the support
:48:07. > :48:15.weapons in the battalion and that comprises the anti-tank
:48:16. > :48:19.rockets and the mortars. Each and every one of these
:48:20. > :48:27.men are heavily trained Each and every one of these
:48:28. > :48:30.men are highly trained And the discipline, the teamwork,
:48:31. > :48:39.the attention to detail that you can see today are also the foundations
:48:40. > :48:46.of success on combat operations. That makes them world
:48:47. > :48:49.class ceremonial soldiers The Escort is being led by Field
:48:50. > :48:55.Officer Lieutenant Colonel Palmer and the Major of the Parade
:48:56. > :48:58.as we see number two A special mention there
:48:59. > :49:08.for Major Charlie Gair who was with We saw Colour Sergeant Vince Hockley
:49:09. > :49:16.earlier and his remarkable Major Charlie Gair was commanding
:49:17. > :49:33.the patrol in which Vince was shot. He was ordered a mention in
:49:34. > :49:34.dispatches for his gallantry and leadership.
:49:35. > :49:37.The bearskins being worn tend to be passed from one generation
:49:38. > :49:41.until the next until recently we were told that one Coldstream
:49:42. > :49:52.officer was still wearing one that was used in a battle in 1854.
:49:53. > :50:19.Soon the music will change to the Irish Guards Slow March.
:50:20. > :50:45.and the Major of the Parade is ready to lead the march past.
:50:46. > :50:55.The music has changed to the Irish Guards Slow March.
:50:56. > :51:10.The Ensign lowers the Colour, the flourish, as he passes
:51:11. > :51:54.Raising the Colour once again once the march past is complete.
:51:55. > :52:00.Looking on, no doubt with a measure of pride, is Prince William,
:52:01. > :52:02.the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish
:52:03. > :52:36.A change of music for the Grenadier Guards slow march.
:52:37. > :52:47.No doubt one of those watching most keenly is the Colonel
:52:48. > :52:49.of the Grenadier Guards, the Duke of Edinburgh.
:52:50. > :53:14.The Scots Guards slow march, Garb Of Auld Gaul.
:53:15. > :53:17.The third member of the salute base, the Duke of Kent, is Colonel
:53:18. > :53:43.The slow march of the Coldstream Guards from Mozart's Figaro.
:53:44. > :54:01.Their Colonel is Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall.
:54:02. > :54:08.The Adjutant of the Parade Captain Max Dooher of the Irish Guards
:54:09. > :54:16.The music changes to the mutual slow march.
:54:17. > :54:31.Field Officer of the Brigade is waiting, Lieutenant Colonel
:54:32. > :54:33.Jonathan Palmer will ride out to salute the Queen
:54:34. > :55:03.Yes, indeed, all eyes on Horse Guards Parade today
:55:04. > :55:07.and many thousands of friends and family are present,
:55:08. > :55:09.enjoying the sunshine, enjoying the music and enjoying
:55:10. > :55:17.the drill, the precision and the smartness of the parade.
:55:18. > :55:22.My colleague Sonali has been catching up with one
:55:23. > :55:41.of those proud relatives, Anita Ward, mother of Vince Hockley.
:55:42. > :55:44.I know that you have been at the Queen's Birthday Parade
:55:45. > :55:45.when you were Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
:55:46. > :55:48.But it is the first time as a proud mum?
:55:49. > :55:52.So very different from when I was here as Lord Mayor.
:55:53. > :55:54.A lot of pride from myself and from the whole family today.
:55:55. > :55:57.And earlier on in the programme we heard about Vince's injuries,
:55:58. > :56:00.to go from there to being here on parade today, just makes it
:56:01. > :56:04.It is, but it has been down to his own determination,
:56:05. > :56:08.his own willpower and, I have to say, the support that he has had
:56:09. > :56:11.Including your father, who was in the Coldstream Guards
:56:12. > :56:13.and he will be watching from home today?
:56:14. > :56:15.He is and he will be bursting with pride as well.
:56:16. > :56:18.There has been a lot of rivalry over the years
:56:19. > :56:19.between the Coldstreamers, but Dad will be
:56:20. > :56:23.It's such a proud day for the family.
:56:24. > :56:31.Thank you very much for talking to us.
:56:32. > :56:34.The guards have now reformed ready to march past in quick time.
:56:35. > :56:36.A new change of tempo led by the Senior Time Beater
:56:37. > :56:48.The neutral quick march is Star Of Erin.
:56:49. > :57:17.It was composed by Major Gerry Horabin.
:57:18. > :57:20.Among the spectators is Boris Johnson, the Foreign
:57:21. > :57:26.Secretary, with distinguished guests,
:57:27. > :57:30.including Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary.
:57:31. > :57:34.We are told that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, is not at the parade
:57:35. > :57:40.Great, as well, Chris, to mention all the family support
:57:41. > :57:41.that is so essential in regimental life.
:57:42. > :57:44.Indeed, the Irish Guards take great pride in being a family regiment
:57:45. > :57:50.and so many of the men on parade today will, like me,
:57:51. > :57:53.have had a father, uncle or a relation in the regiment.
:57:54. > :57:55.For example, in the Escort alone is Guardsman Lee Mooney,
:57:56. > :57:57.whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather
:57:58. > :58:02.were in the regiment, and there are two sets
:58:03. > :58:13.one of the Colour Sentries had a father in the regiment.
:58:14. > :58:16.Great to see so many Irish Guards families represented on parade
:58:17. > :58:19.and their families will be in the stands today,
:58:20. > :59:30.The Irish Guards quick march, St Patrick's Day.
:59:31. > :59:32.A great surge of the music of the pipes, giving way
:59:33. > :59:45.to the Grenadier Guards' quick march, The British Grenadiers.
:59:46. > :59:47.Nijmegen Company, number four guard company had the honour
:59:48. > :59:55.The Scots Guards' quick march, Hielan' Laddie, F Company,
:59:56. > :59:57.Scots Guards, an incremental company of Scots Guards based
:59:58. > :00:18.The Coldstream Guards' quick march, Milanollo, number six guard,
:00:19. > :00:31.found by No 7 Company Coldstream Guards.
:00:32. > :00:33.It'll be busier next year for the Coldstream Guards probably
:00:34. > :00:35.because we expect they will be Trooping the Colour
:00:36. > :00:52.The field officer riding out once again to salute the Queen with two
:00:53. > :00:59.The Massed Bands play the neutral quick march,
:01:00. > :01:01.Mick's March arranged by MJ Henderson, former Director
:01:02. > :01:04.of Music Irish Guards, written for the Birthday Parade in 1996.
:01:05. > :01:06.As the Guards reform for the next stage of the parade,
:01:07. > :01:08.there's a moment's relief for the commanding officer
:01:09. > :01:14.It's such a great moment for him, his family and his colleagues.
:01:15. > :01:16.And he's been sharing his views with us.
:01:17. > :01:19.It's lovely for me as the commanding officer to be doing something
:01:20. > :01:22.so visible in front of the blokes and to be doing something
:01:23. > :01:27.I can shout all I like, but if they don't react
:01:28. > :01:29.to the words of command, then it doesn't work.
:01:30. > :01:33.I think just being in front of the Queen, I think that'll
:01:34. > :01:35.be the lasting memory, because she's an amazing woman.
:01:36. > :01:39.I hope everyone who is on parade today will look back and,
:01:40. > :01:42.even when they're in their dotage, give it the old, I was there.
:01:43. > :02:08.Pull up a chair and listen to my story.
:02:09. > :02:26.Guards, Holt! Guards, shoulder arms. Officers, take post.
:02:27. > :02:33.The Colour is now taken to the front of the Escort.
:02:34. > :02:52.The great sight, the Footguards reforming, and soon it will be
:02:53. > :03:15.Mounted troops will cross the parade ground and pass the saluting dais.
:03:16. > :03:16.Very hot weather here in central London today,
:03:17. > :03:19.presenting a challenge, of course, not just to the men
:03:20. > :03:31.and women taking part in this parade but for the horses as well.
:03:32. > :03:34.The Massed Bands and drums moving to the south side of the parade
:03:35. > :03:53.ground to make space for the Mounted Bands.
:03:54. > :03:55.The band of the Household Cavalry moving on to Horse Guards,
:03:56. > :03:58.led by the assistant Director of Music, Captain James Marshall
:03:59. > :04:10.This is the 20th year that the King's Troop,
:04:11. > :04:13.Royal Horse Artillery have been on parade and they join the event
:04:14. > :04:15.at Horse Guards at the request of the Royal family,
:04:16. > :04:33.The King's Troop, the saluting battery of the household troops,
:04:34. > :04:37.essentially, formed back in 1946 at the instigation of King George
:04:38. > :04:39.VI, to revive the firing of royal salutes on anniversaries
:04:40. > :05:01.The great sight of the Drum Horses, damas and mercury, and they are very
:05:02. > :05:03.heavy, given to the lifeguards by William IV in 1831,
:05:04. > :05:22.The King's Troop commanded by Major Jim Luck, on his first
:05:23. > :05:25.Birthday Parade, taking command last autumn.
:05:26. > :05:50.He has been deployed to Afghanistan on three occasions.
:05:51. > :05:56.Her Majesty will be acknowledging, in this instance, the lead gun,
:05:57. > :06:03.prominently on display, in effect the Colour of the troop,
:06:04. > :06:05.so the 13 pounder quickfire guns have that status.
:06:06. > :06:08.They entered service in 1904 and all six on parade today
:06:09. > :06:17.It has taken 12 hours of work to prepare the guns to be
:06:18. > :06:22.in the prime condition they are in for the parade.
:06:23. > :06:28.The King's troop has kept the title of King's troop on the orders
:06:29. > :06:31.of Her Majesty the Queen in memory of her late father, George VI,
:06:32. > :06:48.who chose the original name, King's troop, 70 years ago.
:06:49. > :06:50.The Field Officer of the Sovereign's Escort,
:06:51. > :06:54.Major James Harbord, as field officer, commanding
:06:55. > :06:57.the Household Cavalry troops on parade, having been on parade two
:06:58. > :07:14.The standard-bearer is Squadron Corporal Major Daniel Sentance,
:07:15. > :07:16.watched by his wife, Lucy, and his parents in the stands.
:07:17. > :07:23.He is riding Kimberley, a word about him?
:07:24. > :07:25.Here come the Blues and Royals, the Household Cavalry
:07:26. > :07:27.consisting of two regiment, the Life Guards and the Blues
:07:28. > :07:30.and Royals, the senior regiment of the British Army.
:07:31. > :07:33.And the farriers, with their glinting axes,
:07:34. > :07:58.who in times gone by would dispatch horses injured in battle.
:07:59. > :08:25.The music is The Royals, arranged by Major Ted Jeanes.
:08:26. > :08:30.The field officer's trumpeter is Joe Gregg of the lifeguards
:08:31. > :08:43.on his first Birthday Parade, from Orkney, did not set out to be
:08:44. > :08:46.a trumpeter but he tells us it is a great honour to be part
:08:47. > :08:50.And the trumpeter's horse is a grey so it is very
:08:51. > :08:53.A dramatic surge of speed and pace and energy.
:08:54. > :08:57.The King's Troop were recently deployed to central London
:08:58. > :08:59.to support the police in key locations including Downing Street
:09:00. > :09:02.as part of Operation Temperer, a good moment for us to pay tribute
:09:03. > :09:06.to all members of the Armed Forces and all members of the services
:09:07. > :09:07.who have shown exceptional dedication in recent months,
:09:08. > :09:35.Major Jim Luck is riding Galaxy today.
:09:36. > :09:37.Each of the guns, followed by six horses.
:09:38. > :09:52.Kicking up a lot of dust on this very dry parade ground today.
:09:53. > :09:59.At the rear we have the masters of the troop and the first ever
:10:00. > :10:00.female Master Tailor in the British Army,
:10:01. > :10:21.The turn of the Life Guards to trot past Her Majesty.
:10:22. > :10:23.Carrying 43 Battle Honours including Passchendaele and that battle
:10:24. > :10:26.will be commemorated in special events at the end
:10:27. > :11:06.The band of the Household Cavalry presents its own birthday tribute.
:11:07. > :11:08.Kettle drummers, riding the Drum Horses, crossing
:11:09. > :11:16.their sticks in their special form of salute for the Queen.
:11:17. > :11:18.Musicians look magnificent wearing the state coat which signals
:11:19. > :11:27.that they are members of the Royal Household,
:11:28. > :11:29.crimson velvet and gold braid and lace.
:11:30. > :11:53.It has been unchanged pretty much since 1685.
:11:54. > :13:44.Back to the area beyond St James' Park and down
:13:45. > :13:46.to the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace,
:13:47. > :13:49.There will be thousands of people there to greet Her Majesty
:13:50. > :13:54.It has been a very busy few days for members of the Royal Family.
:13:55. > :13:56.Yesterday, Her Majesty was in West London visiting local
:13:57. > :13:58.people there after the dreadful events of recent days.
:13:59. > :14:01.That's very much been on Her Majesty's mind, given
:14:02. > :14:04.She said in the statement it is a day of celebration,
:14:05. > :14:07.but a sombre mood marking national events and she very much
:14:08. > :14:11.The bands having saved some of the very best tunes
:14:12. > :14:13.for the end of the parade as the bands always do!
:14:14. > :14:18.Because this is a great moment to showcase some of their best
:14:19. > :14:21.music as the parade is over and they've got a few minutes
:14:22. > :14:25.to perform for us as we watch the procession going back
:14:26. > :15:06.This tradition was established by George V. And it is no less popular
:15:07. > :15:12.today. At that time, the parade
:15:13. > :15:14.had become so popular, it was decided they needed
:15:15. > :15:16.to provide an even more impressive experience
:15:17. > :15:18.for the thousands of spectators. I love the vista looking down
:15:19. > :15:30.the Mall towards Buckingham Palace, the grand ceremonial route designed
:15:31. > :15:33.by Sir Aston Webb in the early 20th century, so familiar to the Queen
:15:34. > :15:37.and the Royal family, which has featured for every great
:15:38. > :15:40.event of her reign, and before that, this is where she travelled
:15:41. > :15:45.to her wedding in 1947, November, vast crowds there of course,
:15:46. > :15:49.and for other royal weddings in the decades that followed,
:15:50. > :15:52.and also a feature of more sombre occasions, such as her father's
:15:53. > :15:54.funeral in 1952, and her A word about the street liners,
:15:55. > :16:04.because they perform such Battalion Coldstream Guards lining
:16:05. > :16:10.the processional route from Buckingham Palace
:16:11. > :16:12.to Horse Guards, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Thurstan
:16:13. > :16:18.who was the field officer A word about the
:16:19. > :16:31.Regimental Adjutants as well because we sometimes don't
:16:32. > :16:34.get a good look at them but there are six of them and I am
:16:35. > :16:38.just wondering, could you tell us a bit about them, and especially
:16:39. > :16:40.Colonel Timothy Purdon, They ride at the rear of
:16:41. > :16:43.the procession and they are retired
:16:44. > :16:45.officers of the division who run the service battalions and I suppose
:16:46. > :16:50.they are a reflection of the back the service battalions and I suppose
:16:51. > :16:53.they are a reflection of the service in the Household Division
:16:54. > :16:55.has lifelong connections and they undertake some really
:16:56. > :16:57.important work with veterans and you are right to mention
:16:58. > :17:01.the Irish Guards Regimental Adjutant, Colonel Timothy Purdon,
:17:02. > :17:04.retiring this year after over 45 years' service to the regiment
:17:05. > :17:07.and an important family connection carried on,
:17:08. > :17:10.his son James served with me So, lots of members of the Royal
:17:11. > :18:04.family on the balcony, greeting Her Majesty and the Duke
:18:05. > :18:06.as they return home Well, Huw, not many people know that
:18:07. > :18:22.when the Escort get back to Buckingham Palace,
:18:23. > :18:25.the parade may have ended for a lot of people, but for them,
:18:26. > :18:28.they go on to conduct the normal How long will they be on daout yu
:18:29. > :18:32.and maintaining this duty for now? The Guardsmen will have a one or two
:18:33. > :18:36.hour duty on top of having completed Horse Guards Parade, playing host
:18:37. > :18:39.to today's spectacular event, but Buckingham Palace right
:18:40. > :18:41.at the centre of events This is the scene in Green Park,
:18:42. > :18:48.another of the Royal Parks where the King's Troop is riding
:18:49. > :19:22.into provide that 41-gun salute. Are always wanted to join the army
:19:23. > :19:30.and I saw the King's Troop and I said, I want to do that and I have
:19:31. > :19:35.been here ever since. What is your experience as a female in Diaby? No
:19:36. > :19:40.different to any other soldier. All we want is somebody who can do the
:19:41. > :19:45.job and do it well and there does not need to be an issue. It does not
:19:46. > :19:49.matter if you are male or female, as long as you can do the job. The
:19:50. > :19:52.King's Troop have been pioneers in terms of the number of women. It has
:19:53. > :20:02.been equal at time. It has come and we are
:20:03. > :20:04.getting more and more females all the time,
:20:05. > :20:06.it is nearly 50-50. Is that what you would say to anyone
:20:07. > :20:10.thinking about joining It's a great life, it is hard work
:20:11. > :20:14.and you have to be dedicated because you need to look after live
:20:15. > :20:17.animals 24/7 but as long You are normally parading a busy
:20:18. > :20:21.doing something else, getting ready for the gun salutes
:20:22. > :20:24.so what have you made I have not seen much of it but I'm
:20:25. > :20:29.sure I will catch up with it, I will run over and watch
:20:30. > :20:32.the Royal Salute and see how it goes We must not miss that
:20:33. > :20:37.so I will let you go. A very big police presence
:20:38. > :20:52.in Central London. We saw the dozens of police officers
:20:53. > :20:55.trying to control this vast crowd as it makes its way down
:20:56. > :21:17.towards Buckingham Palace. In 1953, the Duke was appointed
:21:18. > :21:20.Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal, Marshal of the Royal Air Force,
:21:21. > :21:22.but, as we were discussing, he is stepping down from lots
:21:23. > :21:25.of public and royal duties Like all of us who served
:21:26. > :21:42.in the Navy during the war, I lost many friends and shipmates
:21:43. > :21:52.who are commemorated here. His first salute is for the ship
:21:53. > :21:55.and it is her captain Lieutenant Commander
:21:56. > :22:03.Harper is now the guest. One of the great things
:22:04. > :22:26.that the services can do is they can take ordinary people and turn them
:22:27. > :23:04.into extraordinary people. And the crowdS very soon will see
:23:05. > :23:19.the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen and all other members
:23:20. > :23:21.of the Royal family, the principal members,
:23:22. > :23:22.on the famous balcony at Buckingham Palace
:23:23. > :23:25.and it is a moment as well, Robert, for the family to show itself
:23:26. > :23:49.in all its generations. They are in place and the fly-past
:23:50. > :23:52.is about to happen because the first element is a Chinook and two Puma
:23:53. > :23:55.helicopters from RAF Benson. The Chinook, of course,
:23:56. > :23:57.with its distinctive twin rotors, can often be seen in
:23:58. > :23:59.the skies above London. in how to operate in complex
:24:00. > :24:04.environments, so it is a very important piece of equipment
:24:05. > :24:19.for the Royal Air Force. The captain of the Chinook,
:24:20. > :24:26.Squadron Leader Jack Kyle Waving to the aircrew
:24:27. > :24:35.from the Palace balcony. We are expecting a Hawker Hurricane
:24:36. > :24:37.and two Spitfires. These are from the Battle
:24:38. > :24:44.of Britain Memorial Flight. 2017 is a very special
:24:45. > :24:48.year for the Battle A round of applause
:24:49. > :25:00.for the Hurricane and Spitfires. The third element, we have
:25:01. > :25:03.the Shadow It's quite a presence
:25:04. > :25:21.in the sky, it has to be said. The fourth element is
:25:22. > :25:25.the C-17 Globemaster, from RAF Brize Norton
:25:26. > :25:28.and we have a BAe 146 The fifth element is the A400M
:25:29. > :25:39.Atlas from RAF Brize Norton and we have the C-130 Hercules
:25:40. > :25:52.from RAF Brize Norton. And the Centre doll. -- the
:25:53. > :26:03.Sentinel. Here comes the seventh element,
:26:04. > :26:06.the Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, This really does pass with
:26:07. > :26:15.a thundering boom across the skies. We are waiting for the climax,
:26:16. > :26:32.the great display by the Red Arrows. Fantastic patriotic sight of red,
:26:33. > :26:34.white and blue against that dazzling A fitting end to the fly-past
:26:35. > :26:42.for this Queen's Birthday Parade. So the Queen and three
:26:43. > :27:23.generations of the Royal Family make their way back into Buckingham
:27:24. > :27:29.Palace. The Birthday Parade of 2017,
:27:30. > :27:31.in the Queen's 91st Another superb display
:27:32. > :27:34.by everyone on Horse Guards And an equally impressive fly-past
:27:35. > :27:44.by the Royal Air Force. guests and everyone on the BBC team
:27:45. > :27:50.at the Queen's Birthday Parade,