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  4. I braved the massive crowds of people celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It was unlike anything I've ever witnessed.

I braved the massive crowds of people celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It was unlike anything I've ever witnessed.

I braved the massive crowds of people celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. It was unlike anything I've ever witnessed.
Mikhaila Friel at the Trooping the Colour parade at Buckingham Palace.Mikhaila Friel/Insider
  • I attended the Trooping the Colour parade at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
  • The parade celebrated the Queen's official birthday as well as her Platinum Jubilee.

On Thursday, thousands of people gathered at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour parade in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. I was one of them.

On Thursday, thousands of people gathered at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour parade in celebration of the Queen
Mikhaila Friel at Buckingham Palace.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Trooping the Colour, also known as the Queen's birthday parade, was extra special this year as it celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, which marks her 70 years on the British throne.

Trooping the Colour, also known as the Queen
Prince Charles, the Queen, Kate Middleton, Prince William, and the Cambridge children on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.      DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

The parade featured horses, soldiers, and members of the royal family who departed from Buckingham Palace and made their way down The Mall, a street that starts at the palace and ends at Trafalgar Square.

The parade featured horses, soldiers, and members of the royal family who departed from Buckingham Palace and made their way down The Mall, a street that starts at the palace and ends at Trafalgar Square.
The parade route on the Buckingham Palace Mall.      Google Maps/Skitch

I arrived at the The Mall just after 8 a.m., around two hours earlier than the parade was due to start. The place was packed, and some attendees I spoke to had been there since 6 a.m.

I arrived at the The Mall just after 8 a.m., around two hours earlier than the parade was due to start. The place was packed, and some attendees I spoke to had been there since 6 a.m.
Other attendees brought their own chairs to sit on while they waited.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I took my time deciding where to stand, admiring the many Union Jack flags and outfits that I spotted during my journey.

I took my time deciding where to stand, admiring the many Union Jack flags and outfits that I spotted during my journey.
Attendees wore Union Jack capes.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Some people were decked out in full costume, like this royal fan who wore a crown and a cape.

Some people were decked out in full costume, like this royal fan who wore a crown and a cape.
A royal fan dressed in a cape and crown.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Others opted to wear the UK's national colours. This royal fan wore a red dress, a matching fascinator, a white belt and a blue-and-white scarf.

Others opted to wear the UK
A royal fan at Trooping the Colour.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I found a spot near the end of the parade route, and waited there until the parade began shortly after 10 a.m. While it was a long wait, the crowd was cheerful, and some people spontaneously started singing the national anthem.

I found a spot near the end of the parade route, and waited there until the parade began shortly after 10 a.m. While it was a long wait, the crowd was cheerful, and some people spontaneously started singing the national anthem.
Mikhaila Friel at Trooping the Colour.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

More than 1,200 officers and solders from the Household Division and over 240 horses were part of the parade, according to a palace press release.

More than 1,200 officers and solders from the Household Division and over 240 horses were part of the parade, according to a palace press release.
The Trooping the Colour parade.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The parade went on for around an hour before Kate Middleton, her children, and the Duchess of Cornwall appeared. It was difficult to get a close look due to the crowd, but I could tell it was them by the cheers that erupted around me.

 

I got a closer look at Prince William and Princess Anne, who passed us on horseback.

I got a closer look at Prince William and Princess Anne, who passed us on horseback.
Prince William and Princess Anne at the Trooping the Colour parade.      Mikhaila Friel/Insder

After the parade was over, the barriers were removed and the public were invited to watch a flyover with the Queen and the royal family, who looked on from the palace balcony.

After the parade was over, the barriers were removed and the public were invited to watch a flyover with the Queen and the royal family, who looked on from the palace balcony.
The crowd walked towards Buckingham Palace to watch the flyover.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

While my view was slightly blocked by the police officers in front of me, I was much closer to the palace balcony than I had even anticipated getting.

While my view was slightly blocked by the police officers in front of me, I was much closer to the palace balcony than I had even anticipated getting.
My view of the palace balcony.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Since the Queen didn't taken part in the parade this year, everyone was eager to see her balcony appearance. I overheard one man get emotional as he told his son that this would likely be the last time they see the 96-year-old at a milestone event.

Since the Queen didn
The royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The event ended with a spectacular flyover in the UK's national colors.

The event ended with a spectacular flyover in the UK
The flyover.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was at the event for almost five hours, and my feet were aching by the end — but it was worth every minute to witness something that will go down in the history books.

I was at the event for almost five hours, and my feet were aching by the end — but it was worth every minute to witness something that will go down in the history books.
Mikhaila Friel at the Trooping the Colour parade.      Mikhaila Friel/Insider

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