A ray of sunshine! The Queen makes her first official public appearance since lockdown as she views a socially-distanced and scaled down version of Trooping the Colour at Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday
- The Queen, 94, viewed military ceremony in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday
- Ceremony was executed by socially distanced soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
- It was agreed Trooping the Colour would not go ahead in traditional form to adhere to government guidelines
The Queen put on a stylish display as she arrived to view a socially-distancing military ceremony in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday today.
Her Majesty, 94, cut an elegant figure in a recycled turquoise coat and matching hat - in what was her first official royal engagement since lockdown began.
The monarch, who completed her ensemble with a pair of black patent shoes and her trusty Launer bag, recycled the same outfit which she wore during her December 2019 speech to both Houses of Parliament.
In line with Government advice, it was agreed that the Queen’s birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, would not go ahead in its traditional form.
Instead, a small, brief, military ceremony took place - and was conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines.
he beaming Queen, 94, received a royal salute on arrival, which was followed by a set of military drills, and a musical performance by a Band of the Household Division
It was agreed that The Queen's Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, would not go ahead in its traditional form. Pictured, her Majesty enjoying her low-key parade. Pictured, during the low-key ceremony
The scaled-down ceremony at Windsor Castle saw the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, whose Colour was due to be trooped this year at The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards, perform in front of Her Majesty
Soldiers of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards - whose Colour was due to be Trooped this year - carried out a series of military drills and Salutes
The monarch cut an elegant figure in a recycled turquoise coat and matching hat - in what was her first official royal engagement since lockdown began as the ceremony was carried out by a detachment from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
The Welsh Guards are currently stationed at Windsor Castle (pictured) as Her Majesty was seen enjoying the music in the grounds today
The ceremony was carried out by a detachment from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, whose Colour was due to be trooped this year at The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards.
The Welsh Guards are currently stationed at Windsor Castle, and have played a key role in the military response to the coronavirus pandemic over the past months.
The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence.
Upon arrival, Her Majesty, who donned a matching pearl necklace and earrings, received a royal salute, which was followed by a set of military drills, and a musical performance by a Band of the Household Division.
These drills included a Colour being paraded in front of the Guards.
The Band of the Welsh Guards is the youngest of the five bands in the Foot Guards Regiments in the Household Division
Guardsmen were seen parading to celebrate Her Majesty's official birthday (left). The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence.
The Queen was a ray of sunshine as she was pictured at Windsor Castle today for her official birthday celebrations. Her Majesty was seen laughing as she arrived to view a socially-distancing military ceremony
Her Majesty watched the set of military drills and a musical performance by a Band of the Household Division in the scaled-down ceremony
The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence
The Queen, 94, put on a stylish display as she arrived to view a socially-distancing military ceremony in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday today
Her Majesty was seen standing on the stage with her trusty Launer bag (left). The Queen was seen smiling as she celebrated her official birthday behind closed doors (right)
The grounds of Windsor Castle seen from above (pictured). The small, brief, military ceremony took place - and was conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines
The monarch (pictured left and right) donned a recycled turquoise outfit that she first wore during her December 2019 speech to both Houses of Parliament
While the Queen had front row seats, the event took place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle, with no viewing positions for the public
The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen (pictured) in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence
The traditional form of the Trooping the Colour has only been cancelled once during almost 70 years of the Queen's reign - in 1955, during a national rail strike. Her Majesty was seen smiling as blue skies graced the ceremony to celebrate her official birthday
In keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, each soldier was tasked with standing 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the Garrison Sergeant Major's pace stick
Her Majesty looked the picture of elegance in her turquoise ensemble - which she accessorised with a pair of black patent shoes and her trusty Launer bag
The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, whose Colour was due to be trooped this year at The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards, appeared before the Queen
The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence
Blue skies were seen over Windsor Castle today despite the rain this week as the Queen watched the ceremony to celebrate her official birthday
The ceremony concluded with a second royal salute, following which the Guards and Band exited the Quadrangle and the monarch departed. Pictured, Her Majesty during the ceremony to mark her official birthday
A small, brief, military ceremony took place - and was conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines. Pictured, the Queen on arrival
Guardsmen keep social distance as they stand in formation for a ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark Her Majesty's official birthday
The Queen was seen wearing a turquoise ensemble which she was pictured wearing for the State Opening of Parliament in December 2019
Windsor Castle today ahead of the military ceremony which is set to take place - and will be conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines
The ceremony concluded with a second royal salute, following which the Guards and Band exited the Quadrangle and the monarch departed.
The traditional form of the Trooping the Colour parade was cancelled this year amid the coronavirus crisis.
The extravagant display of pomp and pageantry, that is a highlight of the royal calendar, typically attracts thousands of tourists to line the streets of central London.
And it has only been cancelled once during almost 70 years of the Queen's reign - in 1955, during a national rail strike.
Today's event took place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle, with no viewing positions for the public.
Military travel to the Castle was private and in accordance with government advice, and members of the public were asked not to attend Windsor town centre or gather in the hope of seeing any of the ceremony, which was not visible from any external viewpoint.
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, the ceremony lasted around 20 minutes and broadcaster Huw Edwards hosted a BBC One programme covering the event live.
The Queen celebrated her 94th birthday on April 21, but her 'official' birthday has always been marked with the Trooping the Color parade in June.
The 'colour' refer to the flags representing the different regiments of the British Army and the event usually features hundreds of parading soldiers and horses, a carriage procession by the royal family, and a Royal Air Force flypast over Buckingham Palace.
Major General Ghika, who commands the Household Division and all military support for London's civil response to coronavirus, said: 'The circumstances of the requirement to perform the birthday tribute at Windsor Castle this year are clouded in tragedy.
'The effects of Covid-19 have been devastating in terms of loss of life and the threatening of livelihoods of so many across the country.
'People have had to endure separation from loved ones, great uncertainty and the suspension of so much of what is special about our national life.'
Servicemen from the Household Division - which includes the Welsh Guards - have been formed into a Covid Support Force, with the soldiers carrying out coronavirus tests at regional and mobile sites.
Maj Gen Ghika said: 'The Welsh Guards and many of those on parade have recently been deployed within the United Kingdom as part of the nation's response to the virus and so the context of the ceremony is particularly poignant.'
The non-commissioned officer continued: 'With fewer people on parade there is no hiding place, there never is, and only the highest standard is acceptable.
The Queen accessorised her outfit with a pair of black patent shoes and her trusty Launer bag (left). She was seen standing as she watched the ceremony in the grounds of Windsor Castle (right)
Her Majesty appeared at the ceremony without her husband Prince Philip after the 99-year-old retired from royal duties in 2017
The Queen appeared in good spirits as she celebrated her official birthday in the grounds of Windsor Castle today amid the coronavirus pandemic
Members of the Household Division arrive in preparation for a ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark the official birthday of Queen
The Welsh Guards (pictured) are currently stationed at Windsor Castle, and have played a key role in the military response to the coronavirus pandemic over the past months
Security stand outside the gates to Windsor Castle today where the event will take place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle, with no viewing positions for the public
'But more spacing between individuals means that there is also no room for errors and so the soldier has to really concentrate on their own personal drill, reaction to orders, dressing and social distancing.'
One Guardsman has a starring role - Lance Corporal Chusa Siwale, 29, originally from Zambia, who will be the lone drummer for the ceremony delivering the Drummer's Call to signal for the colour - or military flag - from the Welsh Guards to be trooped - or marched - through the ranks.
A soldier first, he is part of the Welsh Guards' assault pioneer platoon and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 as a force protection commander.
He said: 'It is a huge privilege for me to be undertaking this key role in the parade at what is a very difficult time for the UK.'
Normally Guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during their drills or when formed up on the parade ground, allowing them to maintain 'dressing' or staying in line with one another.
But in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, each soldier will be tasked with standing 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the Garrison Sergeant Major's pace stick.
An event like this has not been staged at Windsor for the sovereign's birthday since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of Queen Victoria.
The Queen has been isolating at Windsor Castle amid the coronavirus pandemic as the Royal Standard flies to mark her residence
Preparations have started this morning ahead of the Queen's private birthday ceremony. An event like this has not been staged at Windsor for the sovereign's birthday since 1895
Blue skies were seen over Windsor Castle this morning where upon arrival, Her Majesty will receive a royal salute, which will be followed by a set of military drill
A coach is seen driving past the entrance to Windsor Castle this morning as cyclists look on. However members of the public are asked not to attend Windsor town centre or gather in the hope of seeing any of the ceremony
On 8 June 2019, the Queen was joined by members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince Louis, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince of Wales, Princess Royal, Duke of York, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Peter and Autumn Phillips and their children Savannah and Isla
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 13, 2015 in London
Pictured, Prince Philip, the Queen, Kate and Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour in 2017
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