The Queen will recreate one of her oldest birthday traditions in lockdown
- The Queen is planning to recreate the traditional Trooping the Colour birthday parade — usually held at Buckingham Palace — at Windsor Castle this year.
- In usual circumstances, the parade features 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians, and is watched by the Queen and the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony.
- Due to social distancing measures, the Queen will instead watch a smaller "military ceremony" in the grounds of Windsor Castle without any other family members this year.
The Queen has found a way to recreate one of her oldest birthday traditions after previously canceling plans to celebrate due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Her Majesty usually celebrates her birthday with Trooping the Colour, a parade that has been held annually at Buckingham Palace to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign for more than 260 years.
More than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians take part in the event, held on the second Saturday in June each year.
After previously canceling the Queen's 94th birthday plans, the royal family have now created a smaller version of the event, to be held at Windsor Castle.
"The Queen will view a military ceremony in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark Her Majesty's Official Birthday on Saturday 13th June, 2020," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The ceremony will be executed by soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who are currently on Guard at Windsor Castle, and feature music performed by a Band of the Household Division."
In usual circumstances, the Queen would be accompanied by members of the royal family to watch the parade from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
However, due to social distancing measures — and the fact that the Queen is self-isolating at Windsor Castle — this isn't possible this year. The event will also not be available to the public.
"Upon Her Majesty's arrival in the Quadrangle, The Queen will be greeted by a Royal Salute," the statement added.
"A series of military drills will then be carried out as the Band plays, and the ceremony will conclude with a second Salute before The Queen's departure."
The Queen has only ever missed the official Trooping the Colour ceremony on one other occasion, when the event was canceled due to rail strikes in 1955, according to Hello! Magazine.
Read more:
5 ways England celebrates Queen Elizabeth's birthday every year
Buckingham Palace shared a rare photo of Prince Philip with the Queen to mark his 99th birthday
How to make the Queen's favorite summer pudding at home using the royal chef's secret ingredient