Trooping the Colour

The Trooping of Colour took place Saturday in London

The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on a Saturday in June.

This year Trooping the Colour took place on 11 June 2011. The Queen's Colour of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards was trooped.

The tradition of Trooping the Colour:

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.

Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.

This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or 'trooped') down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.

This is the first time Prince William took part

The obligatory balcony appearance

Royal duty done, the Duchess of Cambridge goes off to a friend's wedding with sister Pippa

Trooping the Colour is on my bucket list. What's on yours?