This Dublin 12 home was extended to add light and flow, whilst still respecting its character
This Dublin 12 home was extended to add light and flow, whilst still respecting its...

Megan Burns

The most inspiring quotes from our IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year 2025 winners
The most inspiring quotes from our IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year 2025 winners

IMAGE

A look back at the Irish style at the Met Gala last year
A look back at the Irish style at the Met Gala last year

IMAGE

Real Weddings: Robert and Megan’s medieval castle wedding in Co. Kildare
Real Weddings: Robert and Megan’s medieval castle wedding in Co. Kildare

Sarah Finnan

Beyond Flexible: Mother Pukka’s call for an ‘Inclusive’ work revolution
Beyond Flexible: Mother Pukka’s call for an ‘Inclusive’ work revolution

Dominique McMullan

Boxing coach Issy O’Neill shares how she powers through her busy days
Boxing coach Issy O’Neill shares how she powers through her busy days

Megan Burns

WIN two weekend tickets to WellFest 2025
WIN two weekend tickets to WellFest 2025

IMAGE

What the IMAGE staffers are reading right now
What the IMAGE staffers are reading right now

Sarah Gill

Gavin Drea: My Life in Culture
Gavin Drea: My Life in Culture

Gavin Drea

Page Turners: ‘Fun and Games’ author John Patrick McHugh
Page Turners: ‘Fun and Games’ author John Patrick McHugh

Sarah Gill

Image / Editorial

The Queen’s official Birthday is taking place at Windsor Castle


By Jennifer McShane
13th Jun 2020
The Queen’s official Birthday is taking place at Windsor Castle

The Queen’s official birthday was celebrated this weekend with a new ceremony at Windsor Castle instead of the annual Trooping of Colour parade due to the coronavirus 


Traditionally marked by the Trooping of Colour in mid-June, this year’s ceremony was a more laid-back affair thanks to the effects of Covid-19.

Gone was the usual from Buckingham Palace, instead, the Monarch, dressed in a mint-green suit and matching hat, viewed a military ceremony executed by members of the 1st Battalion of Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle, where she is self-isolating with the Duke of Edinburgh and reduced staff.

Taking place in the complex’s famous quadrangle, the celebration opened and closed with a royal salute, and featured a cheering musical performance by a Band of the Household Division.

The history

The Queen actually turned 94 on April 21st, but her birthday is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year, a public affair where, typically, hundreds of members of the public gather.

The tradition of the British monarch having “private” and “public” birthdays was first established by George II in 1748, who wanted to have a yearly parade thrown in honour of his birth, but, being born on 9th November, he realised that the weather would not be suitable for such outdoor festivities, opting to hold the event in the warmer summer months instead. Hence now it is an annual royal tradition.

What is Trooping The Colour?

The ceremony consists of  1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark The Queen’s official birthday.

Generally, the streets are lined with crowds waving flags as the parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.

The display closes with an RAF fly-past, watched by Members of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace balcony. The Queen’s actual birthday is generally spent privately, with gun salutes taking place in her honour in Hyde Park, the Tower of London, and Windsor Great Park.

Main photograph: @RoyalFamily 


Read more: Meghan Markle and the hypocritical media reporting of the royal family

Read more: 10 binge-worthy royal TV series and films to watch while in lockdown (that aren’t The Crown)

Read more: The best of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal tour of Pakistan