Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade in London , United Kingdom , by regiments of Household Division , to celebrate the official birthday of the British sovereign. Similar events are held in other countries of the Commonwealth. In the UK, it is, with the State Opening of Parliament , the biggest event of the ceremonial calendar, and watched by millions on TV and on the streets of London.
Historically, colours were once used on the battlefield as a rallying point. They display the battle honours of a regiment and are a focal point of Trooping the Colour. The ceremony has marked the sovereign's official birthday since Each year, one of the five Foot Guards regiments of the Household Division is selected to slowly troop carry its colour through the ranks of guards, who stand with arms presented.
During the slow march-past, the colours are lowered before the monarch and during the quick march-past the colours fly. The monarch will salute the colours in return. During the ceremony, the monarch processes down the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in a royal procession with a Sovereign's Escort of Household Cavalry mounted troops or horse guards.
After receiving a royal salute, the monarch inspects his troops of the Household Division and the King's Troop. Music is provided by the massed bands of the Foot Guards and the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry , together with a Corps of Drums , and pipers, totalling approximately musicians.
Once obtained, the colour is displayed at the head of the march past the sovereign in slow and quick time, by the Foot Guards, the Household Cavalry, and the King's Troop.
