CE055
King & Country
For many years the Queen rode on horseback in a specially-designed dress uniform to take part in ‘Trooping The Colour’. Her last ‘mounted Trooping’ was in 1986 and King & Country has portrayed the monarch at this time on her favorite horse ‘Burmese’, a gift to her from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969.
Her Majesty is Colonel-In-Chief of all her Foot Guards regiments however on this particular occasion she is wearing her special dress uniform of The Grenadier Guards.
This ceremony has been performed by army regiments of the British and Commonwealth nations since the mid 17th Century.
In olden times, on the battlefield, a regiment’s ‘colours’ or flags, were used as rallying points before the age of electronics and field radios.
Regiments back then would have their ensigns (junior officers) carry their ‘colours’ slowly through the assembled rank and file to enable the soldiers to recognize their own regimental flags during the battle.
Beginning in 1750, ‘Trooping The Colour’ has also in Britain, signified the Sovereign’s official birthday. Each year, ever since, a huge military ceremony is usually held on the second Saturday in June on Horse Guards Parade in London.
SPECIAL HISTORICAL NOTE: Obviously K&C has indulged in a little bit of ‘Historic License’ showing the Queen on horseback riding alongside her son, Prince Charles and her grandson, Prince William. That being said it’s great to see all three together at ‘Trooping The Colour’... even in miniature!
Since 1986 the Queen has taken part in this special ceremony riding in an open-topped Royal carriage and dressed in civilian clothes.