Event: 12/06/2010
Even if pomp and ceremony isn't necessarily your cup of Earl Grey, you'd be hard pressed not to enjoy a pleasant June morning outside Buckingham Palace watching a British tradition that dates back to 1748.
Trooping of the Colour is an annual parade marking the Sovereign's official birthday.
The current Queen was actually born on 21 April - so why, you may be wondering, does she have two birthdays. Going back into the mists of time, if the reigning monarch was born in the winter, the weather was thought to be too cold for outdoor celebratory events. So June was chosen for its warmer temperatures (though rain's always a possibility of course...).
From 1748, the Sovereign's birthday was tied up with Trooping the Colour. Trooping the Colour goes back to the days when a regiment's flag was trooped in front of its soldiers to ensure they'd recognise their colours in battle.
The modern day ceremony, most of which takes place at Horse Guards Parade, sees the Queen being greeted by a royal salute after which she carries out an inspection of the troops. It involves, among others, the Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry.
Stand along the Mall and you'll catch a glimpse of the Queen (as well as other royal A-listers) as she passes by in a horse-drawn carriage. If you stick around for the whole event, you'll see 1100 troops in all, along with 300 horses and 400 musicians from ten bands.
Proceedings are brought to a close at around 1pm when many members of the Royal Family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, at which point the Royal Air Force perform a spectacular flypast.
Trooping the Colour is a big draw for tourists and one of the world's oldest military ceremonies.
Daily Deals
Why? Pomp and ceremony at its most pompous and ceremonious.
When: From 10am on 12th June, 2010.
Where: The Mall and Horse Guards Parade, near Buckingham Palace
Cost: Free
