Trooping the Colour is cancelled for second year in a row

For the second time amid the coronavirus pandemic, Trooping the Colour will not take place. The event, marking The Queen’s official birthday, usually takes place in June. However, owing to the pandemic, it has been cancelled for 2021.

Thousands usually line the streets for the event which sees a battalion troop its colour in the Queen’s Birthday Parade. The Royal Family travel to and from Horseguards Parade by carriage and then make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “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.”

Last year, a scaled back version of Trooping the Colour took place at Windsor Castle. The Queen viewed the military ceremony in the quadrangle. The ceremony was put on by soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Upon arrival, The Queen was greeted by a royal salute. She then watched a number of military drills while The Bands of the Household Division played. The event was in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines. Other members of the royal family were not in attendance but the event was still aired on TV. It is not yet known whether a similar event will take place this year as well.

Another event, the annual Order of the Garter service, was also cancel;ed in 2020 because of the pandemic and it will be cancelled again for 2021. The service, which takes place at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor is one of the oldest royal traditions with the Order, dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George, England’s patron saint, founded by King Edward III. The Order is headed by The Queen, who is Sovereign of the Garter, and consists of no more than 24 knights chosen in recognition of their work.

Both events were due to take place before June 21st 2021 which is the date the UK government hopes to fully relax pandemic restrictions.