Trooping the Colour 2003-2022


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Prince Andrew came across really well in the interview and seemed genuinely sincere when he spoke about how honoured he was and how he hoped he did a good job.


One of the things that has come to my attention is just how many engagements Andrew has been doing in this role since taking it over from his father.

I keep a record of engagements per military unit for the members of the BRF and Andrew, this year, has done 10 engagements with the Grenadier Guards. The next highest individual royal with a single royal unit is The Duke of Kent with the Scots Guards (9) and he visited them in Cyprus.

Last year Andrew did 18 with the Grenadiers while Charles and the Duke of Kent did 7 with the Welsh and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards respectively.

It seems that Andrew has taken to this role with a relish (and he still maintains his connection to his other military positions as well). He is a proud military man and it shows as he does appear most comfortable when doing things with the military ... as does the Duke of Kent. Both men spent over 20 years in the military so that isn't a surprise.
 
The Phillip's weren't even there today...not sure how many more they can get up there!


LaRae

There were actually quite a few family members not there on the balcony today.

It really only looks really crowded around the Queen. If everyone spread out a bit more it would look less congested.
 
It was nice to see Catherine holding a happy Prince Louis. I like the fact that Jack Brooksbank got to ride in a carriage and wear a top hat!
 

They missed out quite a few in their list, so there were close to 50.
40. Tom Kingston
41. Timothy Laurence
42. The Countess of Wessex
43. The Count of Wessex
44. Lady Louise
45. Jack Brooksbank (mentioned but not counted)
46 & 47. Two men behind the duke and duchess of Gloucester (most likely the duke of Kent and Tim Taylor)
 
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With all the talk about the number of people on the balcony, I have been wondering if there is a weight limit for it. I am assuming they keep that portion of the palace in good condition as this happens every year but there was a story about a piece of stonework falling off the building in the inner courtyard and almost hitting Princess Anne.
This was just a weird thing that popped into my head last night.
 
They missed out quite a few in their list, so there were close to 50.
40. Tom Kingston
41. Timothy Laurence
42. The Countess of Wessex
43. The Count of Wessex
44. Lady Louise
45. Jack Brooksbank (mentioned but not counted)
46 & 47. Two men behind the duke and duchess of Gloucester (most likely the duke of Kent and Tim Taylor)

I could kind of find all the men in your list in the photograph of the balcony except the Earl of Wessex. I also didn't see Sophie or Louise-and Sophie's green dress was eye-catching. But James certainly was there, so not sure where the rest of the Wessex family were during the flypast.
 
They missed out quite a few in their list, so there were close to 50.
40. Tom Kingston
41. Timothy Laurence
42. The Countess of Wessex
43. The Count of Wessex
44. Lady Louise
45. Jack Brooksbank (mentioned but not counted)
46 & 47. Two men behind the duke and duchess of Gloucester (most likely the duke of Kent and Tim Taylor)

Earl, not count of Wessex ?

I think they just numbered the ones you could see in the photo (though in fairness to Tom you could see him). They did say in the article there was more then 40 royals on the balcony, they just didn't number them. You see photos of Louise and her mother later in the article.


I could kind of find all the men in your list in the photograph of the balcony except the Earl of Wessex. I also didn't see Sophie or Louise-and Sophie's green dress was eye-catching. But James certainly was there, so not sure where the rest of the Wessex family were during the flypast.

In that photo I couldn't find any sign of any Wessex but James. But there is a later photo of Sophie and Louise. Right, she is hard to miss in that green. Edward though I am surprised was not near his mother some where like his other siblings.
 
As many as were on the balcony this time, there have been more in the past. To my eye, that balcony looks significantly more stuffed for King George V’s Silver Jubilee In 1935. The Queen was among that number, albeit as a child, so this was part of what must have set her understanding of what a balcony appearance could be as a special time for the extended family.

Notice also the large number of people in the windows one level up.

https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/Stock-Images/Rights-Managed/DAE-BA011009
 
:previous: Re: the 1935 balcony above - it looks like fewer than 20 adults there.

It's not great detail but they look to me to be the King & Queen, their children's families and possibly the King's sisters with their husbands.
 
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I could kind of find all the men in your list in the photograph of the balcony except the Earl of Wessex. I also didn't see Sophie or Louise-and Sophie's green dress was eye-catching. But James certainly was there, so not sure where the rest of the Wessex family were during the flypast.



Sophie, Edward and Louise were right at the back nearly inside the double doors. James made it out to the front however the rest of his family were behind the York’s and Meghan and Harry.
 
My bad..I meant the Tindalls...I saw the Phillips's


LaRae


The attend seldom. Think the last time was a few years ago. The same for the Snowdon's and Chatto's.
 
Sophie, Edward and Louise were right at the back nearly inside the double doors. James made it out to the front however the rest of his family were behind the York’s and Meghan and Harry.

Exactly. I'd say the one who could have done something about it is Timothy, there seemed to be quite some room behind Charles and Camilla. Had Timothy moved closer to the Cambridges the Wessexes would havr had more space.

All in all it was interesting how little coordination there seemed to be. It was clear that William decided at the spot to go to the left (for us viewers) this time whil Catherine was originally heading for the right where they stood last year.
 
Great photos from yesterday, thank you to everyone who shared them! Agree that little Louis definitely stole the show - he seems like a very sociable and interactive little one. It was really sweet to see him waving at Charles - it seems that all of Charles's grandchildren are close to him, which is lovely. It was also nice that Jack Brooksbank and Tom Kingston were both present at Trooping this year.
I hope Albert Windsor's arm recovers - he's grown up so much! It would be nice to see Mia with her Phillips and Cambridge cousins, though the Tindalls don't seem to be regulars at Trooping anymore. Is this Isla's first time in attending the ceremony? I don't remember seeing her on the balcony at any previous years.
 
Great photos from yesterday, thank you to everyone who shared them! Agree that little Louis definitely stole the show - he seems like a very sociable and interactive little one. It was really sweet to see him waving at Charles - it seems that all of Charles's grandchildren are close to him, which is lovely. It was also nice that Jack Brooksbank and Tom Kingston were both present at Trooping this year.
I hope Albert Windsor's arm recovers - he's grown up so much! It would be nice to see Mia with her Phillips and Cambridge cousins, though the Tindalls don't seem to be regulars at Trooping anymore. Is this Isla's first time in attending the ceremony? I don't remember seeing her on the balcony at any previous years.

Isla attended several times before.

Will look it up:
2017
2018
 
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Isla attended before (several times if I'm not mistaken). Will look it up.

To answer my own question: you're right, Google tells me Isla appeared on the balcony last year and firstly in 2017. Don't know why I thought this was her first time!
 
I could kind of find all the men in your list in the photograph of the balcony except the Earl of Wessex. I also didn't see Sophie or Louise-and Sophie's green dress was eye-catching. But James certainly was there, so not sure where the rest of the Wessex family were during the flypast.
In our ongoing annual game of 'Where's Waldo', Sophie and Louise are standing behind Jack Brooksbank. It looks like Edward is standing behind and between Princesses Anne and Eugenie.
 
The best display of the year! I love that the Queen has all her family around her and that she shares out the views to young and old. It's a happy celebration. We see her decendants many times each year so the fact that they are the ones slightly squashed is fine to me.
I wonder how the young chappy broke his arm? The boy looks more similar to the age of James so perhaps it's Albert and not the youngest brother as has been reported?.
 
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Court Circular 8th June:
Buckingham Palace

Her Majesty was present at The Queen's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade this morning at which The Queen's Colour of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was Trooped.

The Queen was accompanied by The Duke of Kent (Colonel, Scots Guards), The Prince of Wales (Colonel, Welsh Guards), The Duke of York (Colonel, Grenadier Guards), The Duke of Cambridge (Colonel, Irish Guards) and The Princess Royal (Gold Stick in Waiting and Colonel, The Blues and Royals, Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons).

Her Majesty was attended by Major General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne (Colonel, The Life Guards), Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall (Colonel, Coldstream Guards) and Major General Benjamin Bathurst (Major General Commanding Household Division).

The Lord de Mauley (Master of the Horse), Colonel Toby Browne, Major Nana Twumasi-Ankrah (Mounted Equerries in Waiting), Captain Jocelyn Bucknall (Coldstream Guards, Dismounted Equerry in Waiting) and Colonel Crispin Lockhart (Silver Stick in Waiting) were in attendance.

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Griffin (Silver Stick Adjutant) and the Household Division Staff were present.

The Procession was led by Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone, Welsh Guards (Brigade Major Household Division).

The troops on Parade, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Piers Ashfield, Grenadier Guards (Field Officer in Brigade Waiting), received The Queen with a Royal Salute.

The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank and Mr. Jack Brooksbank, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, accompanied by the Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duchess of Kent, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and other Members of the Royal Family drove to Horse Guards Parade and witnessed The Queen's Birthday Parade.

On the conclusion of the Parade, Her Majesty drove in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of The Queen's Guard, preceded by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, under the command of Major Harry Wallace, the Massed Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry, the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, under the command of Major Thomas Seccombe (The Life Guards), and the Massed Bands of the Guards Division.

On arrival at Buckingham Palace, The Queen's Guard entered the Forecourt and formed up opposite the Old Guard.

Her Majesty, from Buckingham Palace, witnessed a fly-past by aircraft of the Royal Air Force, led by Squadron Leader Daniel Shaw, Royal Air Force, to mark the official celebration of The Queen's Birthday.

Royal Salutes were fired today by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park and from the Tower of London Saluting Battery by the Honourable Artillery Company, under the command of Major Edward Shanklyn.
 
I have a question regarding this year's Trooping. Usually when travelling back to the palace, the Queen stops at the gates and takes salute again no.. This time she drive in straight. No getting down and taking salute. Was there a change in procedure? I checked the last 6 pages but couldn't find any discussion regarding this
 
I have a question regarding this year's Trooping. Usually when travelling back to the palace, the Queen stops at the gates and takes salute again no.. This time she drive in straight. No getting down and taking salute. Was there a change in procedure? I checked the last 6 pages but couldn't find any discussion regarding this

I noticed that as well, not sure why.
I wondered about security, she was in an enclosed coach usually she travels in one of the smaller coaches. The others were in open coaches so that is maybe red herring.
 
I also noticed that the Queen did not take a salute....I thought maybe her age in getting in and out of the carriage as well as security. The Queen is amazing!
 
I have a question regarding this year's Trooping. Usually when travelling back to the palace, the Queen stops at the gates and takes salute again no.. This time she drive in straight. No getting down and taking salute. Was there a change in procedure? I checked the last 6 pages but couldn't find any discussion regarding this

The salute at Buckingham Palace gate stopped due to her age by preventing her from having to get in and out of the carriage too many times. It’s why she no longer get out the carriage and stand on the saluting base at Horse Guards for the salute and then get back into the carriage to inspect the guards.
 
Yes even I thought so that it is to avoid getting out and in so many times. I think she stopped getting down for royal salute last year or so, going straight to inspect the troops. And now she stopped taking salute at palace gate also.
The ageing and the changes accordingly are taking place so subtly and gradually..

I wish the Duke of Kent is also seated with the Queen in the carriage alongside the Queen like previous times (after DoE stopped. The Queen riding alone gives a gloomy forlorn picture.
But then I guess the Duke of Kent had some kind of stroke so it's very difficult for him to get in and out of carriage. He had great difficulty in standing up from his chair and saluting. So it's sensible for him to reach by car.
 
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The Duke of Kent travelled to Horseguards by coach. He was in the second coach with Beatrice, Eugenie and Jack.
 
I find it interesting that The Prince of Wales rides on horseback with William, Andrew and Anne upon departing Buckingham Palace for the Trooping, but rides on horseback nearest to The Queen’s carriage when returning to Buckingham Palace. I wonder why?
 
I find it interesting that The Prince of Wales rides on horseback with William, Andrew and Anne upon departing Buckingham Palace for the Trooping, but rides on horseback nearest to The Queen’s carriage when returning to Buckingham Palace. I wonder why?

I don't think it has any particular significance as to why he rode directly behind on the way back. It may just be the way the horses fell into line when they were leaving Horse Guards.

He was joined by a non royal colonel when walking up the mall though.
 
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