Today is the Queen's official birthday, the second of her two birthdays a year. The occasion falls in either the first, second or, more rarely, the third Saturday in June, and this year it is today.
And, as usual, the Trooping the Colour ceremony celebrated the occasion on Horse Guards Parade, where the beach volleyball was played during London 2012.
Joined by all the adult senior royals, she inspected 1,000 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade in central London.
The Queen arrived in an Ascot Landau carriage after the short drive down The Mall from Buckingham Palace, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Wearing a powder blue satin silk coat, dress and hat with navy trim, all by Angela Kelly, with a Brigade of Guards brooch, the Queen then rode alone in the carriage - the first time she has ridden in it for this ceremony - to inspect her troops.
The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards.
It is the first time since 2005 that the Grenadiers have not been on operations in Afghanistan, about to deploy to the country or recently returned from Helmand Province.
Thousands of people, including many tourists, lined The Mall to watch proceeding.
Thousands of people, including many tourists, lined The Mall to watch proceeding.
The Queen's official birthday is the day in which the nation celebrates the Queen's birthday, but it is usually held in June when the weather is better than it is in April, the month of the Queen's actual birthday.
The Queen's actual birthday was 21st April. She turned 88.
Happy Birthday Ma'am! British pomp and ceremony at its best as the Royal Family turn out in fine style for the traditional Trooping the Colour parade saluting the Queen turning 88
Queen inspected 1,000 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade in central London
She was joined by all adult senior royals as she celebrated her official birthday with spectacular parade
Queen arrived in Ascot Landau carriage after short drive down The Mall, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh
The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Cambridge were all on horseback for the ceremony
The Duchess of Cambridge arrived in a coach alongside the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry
By James Rush
Daily Mail
14 April 2014
The Queen was celebrating her official birthday today with a spectacular Trooping the Colour parade.
Joined by all the adult senior royals, she inspected 1,000 soldiers of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade in central London.
The Queen arrived in an Ascot Landau carriage after the short drive down The Mall from Buckingham Palace, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Wearing a powder blue satin silk coat, dress and hat with navy trim, all by Angela Kelly, with a Brigade of Guards brooch, the Queen then rode alone in the carriage - the first time she has ridden in it for this ceremony - to inspect her troops.
Parade: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh rode in a vintage carriage as they attended the Trooping the Colour parade today to celebrate her official birthday
Royal wave: The Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry travelled together as the parade made its way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in central London
The Prince of Wales, who is Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, who is Colonel of the Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, were all on horseback for the ceremony.
The Duchess of Cambridge, in an outfit similar in colour to that of the Queen, arrived in a coach alongside the Duchess of Cornwall, who was in peach.
There was no sign of Prince George of Cambridge.
The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards.
March: Members of the Queen's Guard march prior to the Trooping the Colour. More than 1,000 soldiers are taking part in the traditional display of pomp and pageantry
Traditional: The Colour being paraded on Horse Guards this year was the flag of Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards
It is the first time since 2005 that the Grenadiers have not been on operations in Afghanistan, about to deploy to the country or recently returned from Helmand Province.
Four of the five Foot Guards regiments of the Household Division - the Welsh Guards, Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards and the Coldstream Guards - marched in the parade wearing their traditional bearskin hats and red tunics.
The Queen's actual birthday was on April 21, when she turned 88.
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