The Queen’s birthday is marked each year with an historic military parade known as Trooping the Colour. This will begin at 10am on Saturday 15th June 2013 on Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall. The event traditionally takes place in June, after the Queen’s actual birthday on 21st April.

This is one of the most famous royal occasions of the year, attracting thousands of spectators to Whitehall to watch the parade. This year as the Queen's birthday is celebrated again, many of well-wishers are expected to turn out in their droves to welcome the occasion.

This occasion began as purely a military ceremony and has now become part of national heritage with Londoners and tourists alike lining the streets to see the colours and the impressive ceremony. The parade has been part of the monarch's birthday celebration since 1748, when Edward VII took up the salute in person.

Part of the traditional summer calender for the Queen each year, Trooping the Colour consists of a ceremony where the reigning Sovereign is greeted by a royal salute and carries out a formal inspection of the troops. After a musical troop has been played by the bandsmen, the regimental colour or flag is carried down the ranks and then the Foot Guards and Household. Cavalry march past the Queen. Her Majesty then rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her guards before taking the salute from the palace.

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