Trooping the Colour cancelled for second year
An event dubbed ‘mini Trooping’ was staged at Windsor Castle last summer.
The Queen’s official birthday celebration known as Trooping the Colour has been cancelled for a second year running.
The annual event, which sees thousands of well-wishers fill central London to watch the Queen and members of the royal family travel to and from the spectacle, will not go ahead its traditional form, Buckingham Palace has said.
Last summer, an event dubbed “mini Trooping” was staged at Windsor Castle and the palace has said options for an “alternative parade” were being considered at the Queen’s Berkshire home.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Following consultation with Government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that The Queen’s Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London.
“Options for an alternative Parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered.
“The annual Garter service, usually held in June, will not take place this year.”
During the past 12 months, many of the major events in the royal calendar have been cancelled or postponed because of the ongoing pandemic.
Trooping is traditionally staged during June and it famously features a gathering of the royal family on Buckingham Palace’s balcony to acknowledge the crowds in The Mall.
The event attracts thousands of spectators – friends and family of the soldiers taking part in the military spectacle – who fill stands around Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall where the event is staged.
The cancellation of the annual Garter service means well-wishers will not see the royal family parading through the grounds of Windsor Castle in their ceremonial robes.
