We are currently watching Trooping the Colour 2010 on the television but last week we were pleased to be there. Yes, I said last week, because Trooping the Colour takes place not once but three times each year. The televised parade is the Queen's Birthday Parade, on which the salute is taken by the Her Majesty The Queen. Last week was the Colonel's Review and, as the Colour being trooped this year is that of the Grenadier Guards the Duke of Edinburgh took the salute as Colonel of the Regiment. The previous week was the the Major General's Review.
The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has not long since returned from their second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
There is no commentary to the parade, so if you want to be aware of the significance of the parade as it happens either do your homework or watch in on the television. If you want to experience a fantastic spectacle and watch military custom in action there is absolutely no substitute for being there. Tickets for the Major General's Review are free and although payment is required for both the Colonel's Review and the Queen's Birthday Parade the price is very reasonable. Of course if you want to soak up the atmosphere and proudly watch the troops without sitting in the stands erected on Horse Guards there are always great vantage points to be found along The Mall, near the Victoria Memorial or, for a good view of the Life Guards and Blues and Royals in particular, behind the Guards Memorial.
After the parade, our hearts swelled with pride, we walked through St James' Park to Wellington Barracks, as did the Guards stretcher bearers and the route liners. Although we have done this before on Troop day it is still a little odd to have to move aside at the sound of marching soldiers approaching from behind!
