Toe- tapping Queen’s joy as birthday goes with a swing
AS SHE tapped her foot to the music of a military band, the Queen’s gaze was suddenly drawn skywards. Soaring above came the Red Arrows, leaving red, white and blue vapour trails hanging above Windsor Castle.
It was a glorious, fitting end to her official birthday parade and the Queen sat, her hands interlaced on her lap, thoroughly contented.
Some of those taking part in Trooping the Colour were also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral at Windsor in April. On that sombre day, lost in grief, the Queen cut an unforgettably forlorn figure.
How heartening it was to see her enjoying herself yesterday – and what a busy birthday weekend, particularly for a 95-year-old. On Friday, she led the Royal charm offensive as she welcomed G7 leaders to a banquet i n Cornwall. Tomorrow, she will be joined by US President Joe Biden and the First Lady for tea.
It was the Queen’s first official birthday without her husband. Held at Windsor for only the second time in her 69-year reign due to Covid restrictions, the annual parade was a scaled- back affair – yet there were tell-tale signs of something approaching normality.
Fewer than 100 soldiers were on parade last year. Yesterday there were almost 300 military personnel and 70 horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. The Queen, accompanied by her cousin the Duke of Kent and wearing a grey and lemon-yellow coat, watched the parade from the shelter of a dais decorated with pink begonias.
Despite Her Majesty’s cheerful demeanour, the occasion was not without poignancy. It was the end of a week in which the Queen would have celebrated her husband’s 100th birthday. It was Philip, of course, who took responsibility for restoring Windsor Castle to its full glory after a fire tore through it in 1992.
The military officer in charge of planning the parade said his aim was to create a ‘memorable and uplifting day’ for the Monarch, who has been based at Windsor during the pandemic.
Lieut Col Guy Stone said: ‘Last year we had 85 on parade, this year we’ve got 274, plus 70 horses, so we’re really excited about the event having grown and getting us back to normal for next year we hope. It’s been very challenging, but we like a challenge.
‘Covid has got a lot to answer for in so many ways. It’s made this difficult, but what we want to do more than anything is give the Queen a memorable and uplifting day.’
Whatever the personal difficulties of her own grief, the Queen has nevertheless been determined to get back to work with a busy schedule of events.
Her Majesty returned to Windsor yesterday morning after travelling overnight on the Royal train from Cornwall, where she prompted laughter among world leaders at the G7 meeting by asking during a photoshoot: ‘Are you supposed to look as if you’re enjoying yourself?’
There were more jokes to come. At an event at the Eden Project eco attraction, Her Majesty insisted on cutting a cake with a ceremonial sword.
An onlooker, trying to be helpful, told the Queen that a conventional knife was available. But already wielding the sword, she replied: ‘I know there is. This is more unusual.’