What is trooping the colour?

For centuries, Trooping the Colour has been a grand spectacle loved by royals and
spectators alike. The annual event, which celebrates the birthday of the Sovereign
(Queen Elizabeth II), is typically a public event, where everyone catches a glimpse
of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Starting in 1748, this
impressive display also became a way to recognize the official birthday of the
Sovereign. In the case of Queen Elizabeth II, her actual birthday is on April 21, but
she celebrates her "official" birthday on a Saturday in June with the Trooping the
Colour.

Who is the Queen?

Queen Elizabeth II has since 1952 served as reigning monarch of the United
Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and numerous other
realms and territories, as well as head of the Commonwealth, the group of 53
sovereign nations that includes many former British territories. Extremely popular
for nearly all of her long reign, the queen is known for taking a serious interest in
government and political affairs, apart from her ceremonial duties, and is credited
with modernizing many aspects of the monarchy.

The History

The tradition dates all the way back to King George II, who in 1748 combined the
annual summer military march with his birthday celebration—even though he was
born in October. Ever since, the reigning monarch has had the option of having an
official birthday in the summertime.

So what does "trooping the colour" mean, exactly?

Back in the 1700s, the various regiments would show off their flags, so all the
troops would recognize their banners during battle. Hence, "trooping" the "colour."

The official anthem

Trooping the colours anthem's name is "God save the Queen"

What happens during the parade?

Once The Queen has arrived at Horse Guard's Parade in Whitehall, she is greeted
by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops, who are fully trained
and operational soldiers wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin
hats.

The Queen used to attend on horseback herself, but in recent years has travelled by
carriage.

After the military bands have performed, the escorted Regimental Colour, or flag,
is processed down the ranks of soldiers. Over one hundred words of command are
used by the Officer in Command of the Parade to direct the several
hundred soldiers.

Once the Foot Guards have marched past The Queen, she rides back to
Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again at the
Palace from a dais. 

Her Majesty is then joined by other Members of the Royal Family on the balcony
at Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. A 41-gun salute
is also fired in Green Park to mark the occasion. 

What is the "Royal Air Force"?

 The Royal Air Force that we can also RAF is the United Kingdom's aerial
warfare force. It is the oldest and the largest independent air force in the
world.