THE Queen will watch a scaled back Trooping of the Colour at Windsor Castle to celebrate her official birthday next Saturday.
Celebrations will take place on June 12, with Her Majesty accompanied by her cousin the Duke of Kent – and the dazzling parade will be made up of soldiers who were part of the NHS’s coronavirus response.
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This year’s Trooping of the Colour will have more military personnel than 2020, when its size was restricted due to the pandemic.
But the celebration will still not go ahead in its normal form this year – in line with the Government’s ongoing Covid guidance.
The Queen will view a military parade in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday on Saturday, June 12.
The parade will be held by the Household Division, and The Queen’s Colour of F Company Scots Guards will be trooped.
And the parade will be formed by soldiers who have played an integral role in the NHS’s coronavirus response – as well as those who have been serving overseas.
Her Majesty will be joined by her first cousin, The Duke of Kent, who will take Prince Philip’s place as her ‘plus one’ at her birthday parade.
The Duke also accompanied the Queen at the event in 2013 when Philip could not attend as he recovered from surgery.
At last year’s Trooping The Colour parade, the Queen, 95, was by herself at a scaled-back version of the event at Windsor Castle.
Her Majesty beamed as she enjoyed a stripped-back and socially distant Trooping the Colour ceremony in honour of her birthday.
For the first time in 125 years, the ceremony took place at Windsor Castle where she has been shielding with Prince Philip.
This year, the parade will be led by the Foot Guards, who will be joined in the Quadrangle by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
And music will also be played by a Massed Band of the Household Division – which will include 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipes and Drums.
Her Majesty and the Duke of Kent will be greeted by a Royal Salute – as well as the National Anthem.
The parade will commence with the Musical Troop as the Band plays.
The Trooping of the Colour will then take place through the ranks, and the parade will conclude with a second Royal Salute.
HER MAJ’S BIRTHDAY
And to avoid crowds, members of the public have been asked to not gather in Windsor – but instead to watch the spectacle from the comfort of their own home.
The Queen has two birthday celebrations each year: one on her actual birth date, and the other on her “official” birthday – a public celebration.
Her real birthday is in April and an “official” celebration takes place in June.
This is because of how temperamental the British weather is.
The tradition for monarchs to have two birthdays was started by George II back in 1748.
Meanwhile, the Queen is due to meet US President Joe Biden when he comes to the UK for the G7 summit.
She will reportedly travel to Cornwall where the summit is being held and will meet the prime minister of Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan.
She is expected to be joined by Prince Charles and Camilla, as well as Prince William and his wife Kate.
Charles has reportedly told his aides that he is eager to meet Mr Biden to discuss environmental issues.
The Queen sent a private message to Mr Biden following his inauguration in January.
It is not thought the two have met before.
And Brits will be treated to a four-day Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year, Buckingham Palace revealed
Her Majesty, 95, will enjoy a four-day bonanza to mark her 70th year on the throne, including a special celebration involving 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians..
