Trooping the Colour 2008
Another year, another Trooping the Colour.
The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at Horse Guards Parade
The splendid event is held on a Saturday in June each year to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday — her real one is in April.
As always, the BBC showed what a superb occasion it is with Huw Edwards describing the nuances and history in minute detail. He even had an exclusive interview with Prince Charles in full red and gold ceremonial dress.
Traditionally, the Queen processed down the Mall on horseback, riding an elegant sidesaddle. However, as age closed in and with the retirement of her faithful mount, Burma, she decided that a carriage would be more appropriate. The carriage itself has a lot of history behind it. It is Queen Victoria’s Ivory-Mounted Phaeton, first used in the 1840s.
Princes William and Harry and the Duchess of Cornwall
Prince William and Prince Harry arrived in a carriage together with the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Charles rode down the Mall on horseback together with the Royal Colonels, Princess Anne and the Duke of Kent.
The Queen and Prince Philip take the salute
Finally, before the parade begins the Queen and the Duke take the salute and the National Anthem.
What a grand event! I admit to being a little sad that the Queen is now riding in a carriage versus on horseback, I always loved that she did that. Long live the Queen!
By Leslie on June 14th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Well, Leslie, the carriage was Queen Victoria’s Ivory-Mounted Phaeton, first used in the 1840’s, so it does have a lot of history behind it.
By John on June 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Where is Charles?
By Marilyn on June 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Wonderful photographs of a splendid event! Thanks so much, John, I just love Trooping the Color! Were the Duke of Kent and the Earl of Wessex there also? If anyone saw the exclusive interview with Charles, I would love to hear what was said and if there is a photo of Charles from Trooping the Color, I would love to see it. I love the photo of the Duke of Edinburgh taking the salue with the Queen and also love that they rode in Queen Victoria’s ivory mounted phaeton!
By Gigi on June 14th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Marilyn, as I say in the piece, Charles rode down the Mall on horseback as one of the Royal Colonels.
By John on June 14th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Gigi, the Duke of Kent rode as one of the Royal Colonels. The young Princes are not of that rank so came in a carriage.
By John on June 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Charles talked about the event mainly and of Harry’s deployment in Afghanistan. It was recorded about a month ago when he briefed the Guards about their role in the Trooping ceremony.
By John on June 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
There are more great photos of this event on Getty images
By Dot on June 14th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Is William already wearing the sash and star of the Garter order? I thought that ceremony will nly takeplace on Monday?
By Isana on June 14th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Yes he was already invested now Monday will be lunch and service. I have always like sashes, they seem to be so grand.
By Claudius on June 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Thanks, John, that makes perfect sense. They certainly cut a dash in those Blues and Royals uniforms!
I think both Prince William and Prince Harry are so handsome and such fine young men, what a blessing to the nation! Also, I meant to ask if the Earl of Wessex and the Duke of York were at the event, as you had said in your article that the Duke of Kent had ridden in the parade. Hello has excellent photos and the Earl and Countess of Wessex can be seen on the Palace balcony watching the fly past, as is Autumn Phillips, but I do not see the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie. Were they there, John, do you happen to know?
By Gigi on June 14th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It was nice to see Peter and Amber on the balcony, especially after everything that was said about the Hello deal. Although I have to admit that part of me believes that was the whole point of them being there. Does that make me a very cynical person?
By Ash on June 14th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Read the DM, about the Queen offering Kate Middleton a VIP table in the Royal Standing at Ascot ! Interesting, its written by Katie Nicholl, the same author reporting that the Queen wants Kate to get a Job.
Supposedly Kate refused because this will bring speculation of an engagement, PW and PH will not be able to attend. Its a long article.
By Me on June 15th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Ah, the glorious Trooping — what an event to behold and if only a certain royal and his lovely young miss would hurry up and get engaged I could head on over there to see a Trooping and a Royal Wedding in 2009 — now wouldn’t that be some kind of vacation!
By alsgal on June 15th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Me, Catherine may attend Ascot but I’m not sure she would turn down Her Mayjesty’s invitation. If the story is true then she have her own table. I would just love to see her there with the royal family.
By Claudius on June 15th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Yes Me I also saw the article & thought it was strange that she would have declined if hhr Queen had offered it to her? Maybe John will be able to shed some light.
By jackie mccoy on June 15th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I’m looking forward to John’s comments on this new article of Katie Nicholl, anyway I hope to see pics of Catherine at the Royal Ascot.
On another note, the NOTW has an ugly story about Paul Burrell and Princess Diana, don’t know if you guys would like to read it, its disgusting.
By Me on June 15th, 2008 at 1:39 am
I read it and it made me sick, too. Paul Burrell is the mother and father of all liars, as they say here. Princess Diana would no more stoop to what he claims than she would drink arsenic. He is beneath my contempt!
By Gigi on June 15th, 2008 at 3:31 am
I’m up late (in the US) editing a video. I hope John wakes up soon to comment on all this hoopla!
By dally on June 15th, 2008 at 5:08 am
The hoopla now includes the Princess E. “hijinks” story!(gasp)
By dally on June 15th, 2008 at 5:09 am
The Mail story has a ring of truth about it, but probably refers to provisional decisions not personal offers and snubs — as the papers love to call them. I imagine a provisional list of table hosts was drawn up by an equerry or Lady in Waiting and Kate was suggested for one of them on a specific day.
William would have sounded her out but they both agreed it would stir up a hornet’s nest of press speculation about an engagement. Zara declined too, so this clearly reflects an early stage in the process of finding young hosts for Royal tables. It’s interesting that Chelsy doesn’t seem to have been considered, indicating Kate’s “rank” among Royal girlfriends.
By John on June 15th, 2008 at 10:12 am
As for the News of the World “scoop” about Diana, I must say I’ve long suspected there was more to that relationship than ever came out. Diana was known to have had physical relationships with some of her police bodyguards, and there were strong hints at the time that servants were included too.
What the nature of those relationships were, however, is not known and I expect Burrell has embellished his own to grab some headlines.
His wife Maria’s confirmation that Diana often rang him in the middle of the night to go to Kensington Palace at least confirms that part.
But for him to spill all this now, is yet another betrayal by this truly odious little man.
By John on June 15th, 2008 at 10:19 am
The Telegraph has a saucy story about Princess Eugenie:
“Princess Eugenie has been reprimanded by her school after she was caught frolicking naked in the school grounds, it has been claimed. … A senior staff member was woken by playful shrieks in the college grounds, and upon investigating found about a dozen young women dancing around without any clothes on.”
I’m sure her mother has done much worse.
Sounds like fun though.
By John on June 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
John the only police bodyguard Diana was close to was Manakee and that was not proven and Diana said she did not sleep with him. Diana only admited to Hewitt she did not have to stop there when she admitted that. Diana was fully aware of her class being a Spencer and a Lady she had her pick of any man I doubt she slept with the servants.
Diana has been dead for almost 11 years It is time for her to rest in peace. Though I’m sure that particular article brought a smile to Cammy’s face and bolstered Burrells ego I think these libelous accutions should face legal action either by her sons or her estate.
By Trudie on June 15th, 2008 at 11:35 am
You’re very loyal, Trudie, but there were stories of affairs with named servants. I vaguely remember an article by Richard Kay — a friend and confidant of Diana — heavy with hints about an affair with a specific servant, and even a picture of him.
By John on June 15th, 2008 at 11:47 am
John would the decline of the table indicate (if they are indeed wary of causing more speculation by her accepting) that an engagement is a lot further away than we were hoping? Given that if an announcement was close then it wouldn’t matter if the press went drew conclusions?
As for the Burrell claims i haven’t read them & true or not I think the whole thing is just vile. Diana good or bad or a little of both needs to be able to rest in peace.
By jackie mccoy on June 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
No VIP table offered to Peter and Autumn Phillips??? Are the newlyweds still being punished for the Hello! debacle?
By Arthur on June 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
If Richard Kay hinted, it is because he did not know enough to state it plainly and he didn’t want to be sued. This sort of journalistic innuendo is the lowest form of reporting and ought to be beneath Richard Kay. Evidently it is not. I admire neither his credentials, which I have not seen, nor his reporting, which I have.
By Gigi on June 15th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
There’s a new DM article of Burrell stating that he didn’t bed Princess Di, and that his brother in law is at fault, trying to cash in on fake news, according to the article, the neighbours of the Burrell have confirmed the brother in laws poor life style; drink and lack of money.
By Me on June 15th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Jackie, I think it shows that they want to keep control of the situation and not make too many waves while William is at sea.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Gigi, the article was several years ago and the vagueness is in my own memory of it. I think the situation was drawn quite clearly at the time.
Frankly, none of this matters much now and I’d prefer to look forward than back. Anything to do with Burrell, it seems, is immersed in a cloud of lies.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Sky news report that Kate Middleton has been invited to watch Prince William receive his Knighthood at 2.45 today
By derk on June 16th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Personally I think that whole family is vile and beneath contempt and as for Richard Kay I think that was hinted at after her death and around the time he hopped on the Cammy bandwagon to become her new BF and confident. They all bite and are three feet beneath a trailer. I just think it is now time to move on and let that poor woman who cannot speak for her self to finally have her well earned rest in peace and privacy.
By Trudie on June 16th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I agree with you, Trudie. On a happier note, Hello has a great photograph of Prince William at a polo match, a photo of Dave Clark, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and a lovely one of the Queen, smiling and lovely in raspberry pink, presenting a trophy!
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm