Archive film, originally published on 28 June 2017. The visits and event commentary describe that summer.
June in London 2017 brings together royal pageantry, musical theatre and a walk through the parks around Buckingham Palace. I begin on The Mall during Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday celebrations, take a detour to West End LIVE and Leicester Square, then return for the ceremonial finale and gun salute in Green Park.
Trooping the Colour on The Mall
Under blue skies, crowds line the route between Admiralty Arch and Buckingham Palace. The film begins with an introduction to Trooping the Colour and the different parts of the day: the procession, the parade at Horse Guards and the return towards the palace.
I am walking towards the palace, but deciding where to watch matters. From the park, the trees can hide aircraft overhead. Near the palace, the crowds offer a different view of the occasion. This visit follows the choices I make as a spectator, rather than an uninterrupted recording of the entire ceremony.
West End LIVE in Trafalgar Square
The film then jumps forward to another June visit. West End LIVE brings performers from London’s theatres onto a stage in Trafalgar Square, with a crowd gathered around the fountains to watch.
I explain the appeal of seeing excerpts from several shows in one place. It is a chance to enjoy the performances and discover something to see in full at a theatre. The film includes stage footage and the atmosphere around the square, where the audience is an essential part of the scene.
A theatre-ticket stop in Leicester Square
From Trafalgar Square, I walk to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. The conversation turns to choosing a show and the ticket options available during that visit.
My discussion of prices, booking fees and availability belongs to June 2017. The stop is preserved as part of the theatre outing, along with the surrounding streets and the windy conditions that accompany the walk.
Summer conversations on the way to the palace
Back on The Mall, I look ahead to other parts of London’s summer. The discussion takes in music festivals, Wimbledon and Pride, while the camera follows the walk towards Buckingham Palace and Green Park.
These are topics discussed along the route, rather than separate event visits shown in this film. They also underline how many different interests fill the summer calendar, from tennis to music and community celebrations.
The procession and Green Park gun salute
Having watched the Major General’s Review earlier that year, I choose to concentrate on another part of the birthday celebrations. I continue towards Constitution Hill to catch some of the ceremonial movement near the palace before watching the artillery in Green Park.
The park provides one of the film’s most striking views. Spectators stand beneath the trees as smoke drifts across the grass during the gun salute. The sound and the changing scene give a sense of the scale of the occasion.
I return to the point made earlier in the walk: it is difficult to see every part of the finale from one position. The footage records this particular viewpoint, with the trees and crowds shaping what the camera can capture.
June’s changing weather and final farewell
The contrast between visits is part of the story. Sunshine accompanies the birthday celebrations, while the theatre outing brings different skies and wind. Even within one month, the atmosphere of an outdoor London visit can change considerably.
I finish beside Buckingham Palace after the parade, bringing the June film to a close. Continue the summer with July in London 2017, featuring Canada Day, Pride and Regent Street Summer Streets.
