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London for Ceremonial
Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour

Dates:1st, 8th, 15th June 2024 Time:10:00am Where:Horse Guards Parade

Overview

The Sovereign's official birthday is celebrated with the ceremony of the King's Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour. This impressive display of pageantry takes place on a Saturday in June, performed by His Majesty’s personal troops of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums march and play in unison. Some 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade, known as the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting. The parade route extends from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade and back again.

At the start of the ceremony, His Majesty The King is greeted by a Royal Salute on Horse Guards Parade and a 41 Gun Salute fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from The Green Park. His Majesty The King then conducts an inspection of his troops with his expert eye. After the Massed Bands of the Foot Guards have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Colour of the Regiment is carried (or ‘Trooped’) through the ranks of Foot Guards. The Foot Guards then march past His Majesty in slow and quick time before The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry ride past at the walk and the trot. The King rides back to Buckingham Palace at the head of his Guards, before taking a furthersalute at the Palace from Centre Gate and the troops return to barracks. Finally, His Majesty joins other Members of the Royal Family on Buckingham Palace balcony to watch a fly-past performed by the Royal Air Force.

Each year, the full parade is actually conducted three times on consecutive weekends. The first occasion, known as The Major General’s Review, usually takes place two weeks before the King's Birthday Parade; the second occasion, known as The Colonel’s Review, usually takes place a week before the King's Birthday Parade.

How to watch:

Members of the public wishing to watch any of the parades are advised to stand on The Mall or on the edge of St James's Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade (the view may be partially obscured by troops from these positions) from 9.00am. The best public vantage points are indicated on the map with black dotted lines.

Events begin at approximately 10.20am for each parade, with the fly-past taking place at 1.00pm on the day of the King’s Birthday Parade only.

The King’s Birthday Parade is broadcast live on the BBC in the UK.

Tickets for seating in the grandstand surrounding Horse Guards Parade for the King’s Birthday Parade are allocated by ballot; up to a maximum of 4 tickets can be applied for.Tickets for the Colonel's Review and the Major General's Review are on sale now.

Ticket prices (each) are as follows: £30.00 for the King’s Birthday Parade; £15.00 for the Colonel’s Review and £10.00 for the Major General’s Review.

• Please go to www.kbp.army.mod.uk to purchase your tickets for the Major General's Review and the Colonel's Review or to enter the ballot for tickets to the King’s Birthday Parade.

 Arriving by car/taxi:

 There are NO parking or dropping off facilities available in Whitehall or the surrounding areas of Horse Guards for any of the three events. Vehicles will not be allowed within these areas so spectators must be dropped off and make their way on foot to Horse Guards Parade.

 Dress Code:

 The King’s Birthday Parade:

This is a formal State Ceremonial Parade in the presence of His Majesty The King. Those attending are required to dress accordingly.

Morning dress or lounge suit for gentlemen, equivalent for ladies (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals).

Serving Military personnel may wear Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, without swords or sidearms) or equivalent.

Hats are optional but are recommended for paying compliments to His Majesty and the Colours as they pass, as well as giving the necessary protection from the sun. Umbrellas/parasols are not permitted to avoid obstructing others’ views.

The Colonel’s Review:

 This is a formal State Ceremonial Parade. Those attending are required to dress accordingly.

Lounge suit or jacket, tie and trousers for gentlemen; equivalent for ladies (strictly no denim, shorts or sandals).

Serving Military personnel may wear Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, without swords or sidearms) or equivalent.

Hats are optional but are recommended for paying compliments, as well as giving the necessary protection from the sun. Umbrellas/parasols are not permitted to avoid obstructing others’ views.

The Major General’s Review:

This is a formal military parade and those attending are encouraged to dress smartly.

Serving Military personnel may wear Ceremonial Day uniform (with medals, without swords or sidearms) or equivalent.

Hats are optional but are recommended for paying compliments, as well as giving the necessary protection from the sun. Umbrellas/parasols are not permitted to avoid obstructing others’ views.

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRESS CODE WILLRESULT IN REFUSAL OF ENTRY.

SECURITY

Police will conduct searches of personal belongings of anyone entering Horse Guards Parade for all three events. As a condition of entry, any items such as knives (including penknives) and similar articles are prohibited and may be confiscated.

Venue:
Horse Guards Parade

Date:
1st, 8th, 15th June 2024

Location
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