Experiences and Suggestions on Trooping The Colours (Queen’s Birthday Military Parade)

Only one Colour is trooped - the Colour of the Regiment being reviewed that day, which changes from year to year, so it is Trooping the Colour (singular).

I like to be in Green Park when the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery turn up and start firing the salute on their big cannons. It is truly something to see - and hear. If you see them in person or on TV (my now favoured way of watching the ceremony) notice what a large proportion of the King's Troop are female.

Nigel ... Thank you! I know more now. It is probably a long shot to infinity that we would win seats to be among the seated. But, if a non national might apply in January 2019, I am going to give it a go; no down side. Your comment is very valued. At least the attire does not require some formality. I see from your profile you are a railroad man. My mother’s father side of the family were all railmen. The whole family (4 brothers and families) manned the station for the CB&Q railroad at Broomfield, Colorado in the 1920’s, then grandpa finished as station master at Fort Collins, Colorado. Sorry for that slip into that, but I’ve a good spot for all this. Greetings from Colorado.

In 2009, I did not have tickets to Trooping the Colour but wanted to see the parade along The Mall. I arrived several hours before it began and stood in row #2 (1 person in front of me) about 1/4 of a mile from the Palace's front gates. It was great fun to see the parade going on its way to Trooping the Colour and on its return. And the flypast by Spitfires, the only operational Lancaster bomber, and the Red Arrows (British equivalent of U. S. Blue Angels) was superb.

Elizabeth ... thanks!

Hi,

I have seen the Trooping the Colours twice, ... in 2010 and the last time in 2012. Maybe if I manage to get back to London on that Saturday in June 2019, I'll have the opportunity to witness this amazing event again. It is "a fun day." I stand along the street leading to the area where the seating and main ceremony takes place. Yes, there are tons of spectators and police every few feet from each other facing the crowd.

Get there early so that you have some flexibility on choosing the spot to watch this event.

Thanks, Fred.

Hi,

You'll see it is an amazing event. With a digital camera, take tons of pictures! Lots of troops and horse guns too. This type of military pageantry is something the British do the best compared to other countries, which I have seen.

Hi -

We got tickets for the seating in Horseguards a couple of years back. We applied, as Brits, for tickets and I believe at some point money changed hands to ensure we got them!

If you are fortunate to get tickets in the temporary stands that surround Horseguards on the day, then some effort as regards dress is probably worth it to not stick out like the proverbial sore thumb. We were sitting near/amongst military personnel from other countries and they were in full dress uniform. I wore long trousers (dark chinos I think but not jeans) a collared shirt and jacket (I think I wore a tie, but probably could have got away without) and sensible shoes. I think my wife, Julie, wore a dress with a coat in reserve and also sensible shoes (not massive heels!)

The ceremony goes on for at least a couple of hours. Afterwards, when it all broke up up, there's a little side road that leads into the Mall and people gathered there, as did we, to be led down the Mall behind a line of police offers to keep everything orderly, to the gates of Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family emerged onto the balcony to watch the fly past with the crowds (or at least they did when we attended!). After the Red Arrows concluded the fly past around lunchtime the crowds, broke up and dispersed and the rest of the day is yours!

Hope you get tickets - it's certainly a memorable spectacle! If you don't get tickets I think you can see some of the ceremony on Horseguards from the grassy parkland opposite, but I think you'd need to be in position early.

Ian

Ian, thanks for sharing your experience.

Hi. I was at the Trooping of the Colour last year. We arrived early in the morning around 7:00 and had to sit there for hours before the event began but...it was totally worth it. We got a front row view and I think this was even better than getting an official ticket to the grandstand area. Don't leave your spot or you won't get it again. We saw the Queen and all the Royal family as they passed by. We were near the statue standing behind the barricades in front of Buckingham Palace. The Mall area would be good too if you get there early enough to get a front row spot. Be careful about drinking too much liquid as restrooms are scarce. A hat and sunscreen are essential to being able to tolerate the heat.