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Over two months after the palace canceled the annual grand Trooping the Colour, alternative plans to mark Queen Elizabeth ’s official birthday have been revealed. As the UK begins to ease lockdown restrictions, the 94-year-old monarch, whose actual birthday is April 21, will celebrate with a miniature version of Trooping the Colour on the originally scheduled date, June 13. “There will be a small, brief, military ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark The Queen‘s official birthday,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed to HOLA! USA’s sister brand HELLO! Online.
The unprecedented event is set to take place at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip , who turns 99 on June 10, have been self-isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to The Daily Mail, the parade will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher and will involve a small contingent of men from the Welsh Guards and a reduced group of the Bands of the Household Division. The outlet reports that there will also be a royal salute at 11am, like there would have been at the traditional Trooping the Colour.
Unlike the usual celebration in London, there will be no spectators other than those watching from inside the castle. It’s unknown whether other members of the royal family will attend the small-scale ceremony. Kate Middleton , Prince William and the Cambridge children, along with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are fixtures at the annual event.
Back in March, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen’s birthday parade would not be taking place as planned. “In line with Government advice, it has been agreed that The Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead in its traditional form. A number of other options are being considered, in line with relevant guidance,” the palace said. Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of British Sovereigns for over 260 years.