In the saddle
Trooping the Colour dates back to Charles II’s reign in the 17th century, when the ‘colour’ was trooped before soldiers so they would recognise it as a rallying point. Today’s ceremony is held on the monarch’s official birthday in June, when Her Majesty inspects her troops at Horse Guards Parade. Until 1987, the Queen wore uniform and rode side-saddle for the ceremony, which involves 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians. Although we know she still rides horses privately when she can, these days, the Queen travels by carriage.