Archive film, originally published on 11 June 2017. This visit records the Major General’s Review, a dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour.
Trooping the Colour 2017 begins for me with a walk from Buckingham Palace towards Horse Guards Parade. I have tickets for the Major General’s Review and a seat with my family. The film follows the approach through central London, the ceremony from the stands and a pub lunch afterwards.
Walking from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards
The Mall is lined with Union flags and barriers, but the pavements are relatively quiet as I make my way towards the parade ground. On the walk, I explain the outline of Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday celebrations, from the procession to the return to Buckingham Palace.
That introduction describes the wider occasion. The event I am attending is the Major General’s Review, held two weeks before the birthday parade. In the film, I explain that the royal family is absent from this rehearsal. The empty carriages seen later are part of the practice.
Through St James’s Park to the spectator stands
My entrance is on the other side of the parade ground, so I cross St James’s Park. There is time for a brief look towards the lake and its pelicans before continuing towards the entrance near Westminster.
The weather is changeable. I have brought sun cream, an umbrella and a hat, and discuss the different conditions an outdoor event can bring. My comments about tickets, entrances and clothing describe the arrangements for this 2017 visit.
After passing through security, I find my family and take a front-row seat with the programme. From here, the camera has a clear view across Horse Guards Parade as the troops arrive.
Watching Trooping the Colour 2017 from the stands
The open parade ground gives the marching formations room to unfold. Red tunics and bearskins stand out against the pale surface, with the buildings around Horse Guards providing the backdrop.
Over the opening parade footage, I discuss the role of regimental colours and introduce the Irish Guards’ colour being trooped that year. The commentary also outlines the sequence of the ceremony, including the inspection, the bands, the march past and the mounted ride past.
As the rehearsal progresses, the audience practises its part too. I explain when we are expected to stand as the carriages arrive and the music begins. These moments show how the review brings the different parts of the occasion together.
Mounted musicians, cavalry and horse artillery
The middle of the film gives more space to the parade itself. Mounted musicians and drum horses cross the ground, followed later by the movement of the horse-drawn artillery and cavalry.
The viewpoint changes as each group approaches the stands. Wide views show the formations across the parade ground, while the closer passes reveal the horses, uniforms and equipment.
Much of this sequence is left to the ceremony’s own sound and movement. It is a substantial part of the film, with time to watch the different groups pass rather than just a few brief highlights.
Leaving Horse Guards after the review
Once the ceremony is over, the parade ground opens again. I finish my main farewell, catch up with my family and walk through Horse Guards towards Whitehall. The quieter departure provides a different view of the place after the formations have dispersed.
A fish finger sandwich at The Chandos
The day ends with a meal at The Chandos near Charing Cross. We sit upstairs, and I show some of the food around the table before turning to my own fish finger sandwich and chips.
The pub stop rounds off a family day out, taking the film from military ceremony back to conversation over lunch. My comments on the menu and value reflect the visit in 2017.
For the later birthday celebrations around Buckingham Palace and the gun salute in Green Park, see June in London 2017. That monthly film also visits West End LIVE and Leicester Square.
