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Milestones of a Monarch: The Queen rides by carriage to Trooping the Colour for the first time

The Queen’s historic reign has seen many famous moments and milestones. For the first three decades of her rule, Her Majesty rode at Trooping the Colour and the year that she decided to start attending by carriage instead caused huge debate.

The famous ceremony traces its history to the time when the colour of a regiment was trooped for soldiers so they could become accustomed to it and be able to recognise it in battle.

Trooping the Colour was first incorporated into celebrations for the Sovereign’s official birthday in 1748, in the reign of King George II. It became an annual event from 1820 onwards and the reign of King George IV. It is now held to mark the Sovereign’s official birthday every year.

From the very beginning of her reign, The Queen attended the event on horseback and wearing military uniform, riding ahead of the procession with a sovereign escort. She took part with her horse ’Burmese’, a black mare gifted to The Queen by Staff Sergeant Fred Rasmussen of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969. However, in 1986, the decision was made for Burmese to retire.

The following year, in 1987 and at the age of 61, the Queen chose to ride in an open carriage rather than horseback. Palace officials assured the public that the Queen was fit and well and her age was not the reason for her decision to ride by carriage.

Riding by carriage meant that the Queen was also able to wave to the crowds lining the Mall.

The Queen has continued to ride by carriage ever since.

About author

Susan is an Actress, Vocalist, Voice-over artist and Writer. She graduated from the University of Salford with a BA (HONS) Music Degree and spent some time travelling around Europe with various choirs, during which time she also performed in the opening ceremony of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games before pursuing her acting and writing career.