Mounting rivalry as twins set to Troop the Colour
THEY may be identical twins, but Ben and Thomas Dell have admitted they have always regarded themselves as rivals.
The brothers, who serve with different British Army regiments, are preparing to parade in the ceremonial spectacle of Trooping the Colour which will be staged today to mark the Queen’s official birthday,
It will be the first time that Thomas troops his colour, but the occasion will be Ben’s third time involved in the pomp and pageantry of the event.
“Everything is a competition between both of us,” Ben said. “At home, since we were very young all the way up to now, it’s always a competition of who’s the better one. It’s a lot of fun.”
The 21-year-old twins will be among more than 1,000 soldiers taking part in the parade, along with 400 musicians from the massed bands.
Recognised for their scarlet
Everything is a competition between both of us. It’s a lot of fun. Trooper Ben Dell on his rivalry with his identical twin brother Thomas.
tunics and bearskin hats, the Grenadier Guards carry out an operational role as well as duties at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
The mounted regiment of the Household Cavalry, with which Ben serves, provides ceremonial troops for all state occasions, including the opening of Parliament.
As a Grenadier Guard, Thomas was deployed to Iraq to work with the US coalition and returned to the UK just before Christmas.
Speaking about their parents, Thomas said: “They say there’s no difference between us, we’re both the same but they’re equally proud, so we’ve both achieved our own goals in our own respective fields.”
Attended by members of the Royal Family including the Queen, the parade brings together prestigious regiments and the families of the serving men and women.