Trooping the Color
So the Queen celebrated her birthday at Windsor Castle
Finally, the musicians coaxed a smile from the Queen.
© Chris Jackson / Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II was honored for the second time in a row with just a small “Trooping the Color” parade at Windsor Castle.
Queen Elizabeth II (95) had to do without the traditional “Trooping the Color” military parade in honor of her birthday (April 21) this year as well. Instead of in front of Buckingham Palace in the heart of London, the celebration due to the corona pandemic took place again on a small scale on the grounds of Windsor Castle. For the Queen it was the first such parade after the death of her husband Prince Philip (1921-2021) on April 9th.
The dove-gray costume with golden floral decorations, in which the Queen attended the ceremony, is a well-known ensemble. For the first time, the British monarch appeared in it at the Royal Ascot horse race in 2019. The 95-year-old combined the costume with the matching hat, white leather gloves and black leather shoes and a matching leather handbag.
The family wasn’t there
Her immediate family was absent from the celebrations. The Queen was accompanied by her cousin Prince Edward (85), the Duke of Kent. Usually the entire royal family gathers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and after the parade watches the Royal Air Force planes fly over the palace.
According to British media reports, soldiers who supported the country’s medical staff in the fight against the coronavirus took part in the parade. A smile on the face of the Queen, who otherwise watched the ceremony with a serious expression, was especially conjured up by the musical conclusion of the “Massed Band of the Household Division”.
The Queen receives a distinguished visitor
According to tradition, the Queen celebrated her actual birthday on April 21 in a private setting. She usually celebrates the day of honor with the population with the “Trooping the Color”, which takes place in June, when 1400 soldiers, 400 musicians and 200 horses march from Buckingham Palace.
This year, after the small military parade, the Queen will at least receive high-profile visitors: On Sunday (June 13th) she will welcome US President Joe Biden (78) and First Lady Jill Biden (70), as the palace announced on June 3rd.