Queen Elizabeth Attends Trooping The Colour Alongside Her Cousin The Duke Of Kent — Photos
June 12 2021, Published 10:12 a.m. ET
Even though the Trooping the Colour was scaled down for the second year in a row, it seems like Queen Elizabeth still enjoyed herself.
"Today is The Queen’s Official Birthday," The Royal Family's Instagram account captioned a few photos. "💂♀️To mark the occasion a military parade in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle was held by the Household Division, and The Queen’s Colour of F Company Scots Guards was trooped."
The message continued, "Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years. The parade closed with a fly-past by the @rafredarrows, and a 41 Gun Royal Salute by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery."
People immediately took to the comments section to send well-wishes to Her Majesty. One person wrote, "A beautiful day, HMTQ seemed to really enjoy it, glad to see Edward your cousin accompany you❤️," while another added, "Long live The Queen ❤."
The 95-year-old was also joined by her cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, as she watched the Scots Guard lead the parade in her honor.
The Queen — who wore a gray outfit and matching hat — watched as the band performed outside.
As for why Prince William and Kate Middleton were not in attendance, the palace announced in March that the event would be scaled down.
"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," they said.
"The Queen will view a military parade in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark Her Majesty's Official Birthday, on Saturday 12 June," a statement from Buckingham Palace read. "The parade will be held by the Household Division, and The Queen's Colour of F Company Scots Guards will be trooped. His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, Colonel, Scots Guards, will accompany The Queen."
"The parade will be led by the Foot Guards, who will be joined in the Quadrangle by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment," the statement continued. "Music will be played by a Massed Band of the Household Division, which will include the 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipes and Drums. Upon The Queen and The Duke of Kent's arrival in the Quadrangle, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be greeted by a Royal Salute, and the National Anthem."
The statement added, "The parade will commence with the Musical Troop as the Band plays. The Colour will then be trooped through the ranks, and the parade will conclude with a second Royal Salute. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will then fire a 41 Gun Royal Salute, to mark Her Majesty's official Birthday, from the East Lawn at Windsor Castle."
