Hello Everyone,
'I Saw the Queen'
While in England I was very lucky to see the Queen. On June 11, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her official birthday.
Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!
Although the Queen was actually born on April 21, the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is celebrated each year in the UK on a weekend in June for purely practical reasons. The day usually presents more acceptable weather for a public party!
'Here she is'
In the UK, the most important and watched event related to the day is the lively and historic military ceremony known as TROOPING THE COLOUR - with a parade down The Mall to HORSE GUARDS PARADE.
post script 6-4-12 new information regarding the marching guards see link
I was so excited to see the Redcoats and Bear-Skin hats.
Post Script: I received a comment from Janette - The 2 Seasons and she wrote that Prince William is on the horse directly behind Prince Phillip. WHAT A SHOT!!! I didn't have a clue when I took the photo.
Post Script: I received a comment from Janette - The 2 Seasons and she wrote that Prince William is on the horse directly behind Prince Phillip. WHAT A SHOT!!! I didn't have a clue when I took the photo.
The parade features The Household Cavalry. The Parade is made up of over 1400 officers and men from The Household Cavalry, together with 200 horses. The Household Cavalry is the army division tasked with guarding the Monarch, so the link is very close.
The celebration included a fly-past of military aircraft - as well as gun salutes fired at noon at Hyde Park.
Soon after the fly - past the London police cleared the crowd from the Mall in order that a military band could return to the Guard House.
My traveling companions and I were in amazement that we were in London on the weekend of the Queen's celebration.
Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner and I hope you have enjoyed seeing the Queen.
I'm joining
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
xo
xo
Betty
That must have been wonderful. Your photo's really show the party and the queen. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteNot only did you see the Queen, but you also saw Prince William. He is on the horse in the red coat and big hat right behind her carriage. (I only know that because it was in the news over here while you were having fun over there.)
ReplyDeleteWow! Its awesome to see the Queen personally there and all those Royalities.. I can actually feel the excitement!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an honor to have seen the Queen, Betty. I can't imagine wearing that heavy clothing and those hats...
ReplyDeleteWonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great highlight of your visit to London, must say I am a little jealous...thank you for taking the time to share with us common folks hehe.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Kelsie
Betty,
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous you got a shot of William! I love the aircraft shot. Wonderful!
Sherry
That is so neat! What a great memory you'll always have.
ReplyDeleteGotta tell you that the marching soldiers are NOT the Household Cavalry. Cavalry means horses. The marching soldiers are one of the 5 regiments of the Queen's Own Guards, or Queens Guards. You can tell them apart by the bearskin hars (horse guards have metal helmets with horsetails) their buttons...here is a link to my post about that. I know because my husband guarded the Queen at Buckingham Palace! http://timewasantiquesfamily.blogspot.com/2012/04/dunoon-london-mug-how-to-tell-queens.html
ReplyDeleteCheers!
R
London is my favourite city. I lived close to it for a few years and spent a lot of time in the 1960s there. Now live in the USA but miss England very much
ReplyDeleteJanice