Queen’s Trooping the Colour birthday parade ‘won’t go ahead in traditional form’ due to the coronavirus outbreak
- Buckingham Palace says a ‘number of other options are being considered’
- Trooping the Colour has marked UK Sovereign’s official birthday for 260 years
- It normally features 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians
- This year’s patriotic display in London had been due to take place on June 13
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
The Queen’s birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will ‘not go ahead in its traditional form’ due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was revealed today.
Officials at Buckingham Palace said this afternoon that a ‘number of other options are being considered, in line with relevant guidance’ ahead of the event.
Trooping the Colour, which is due to take place in London on June 13 this year, has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years.
The Queen at Trooping the Colour on June 8 last year, with her family including Prince Charles (second left), Prince Andrew (centre right) and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (right, rear)
Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel Guy Stone leading the Parade down the Mall in London ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 8 last year
It normally features more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians in a patriotic display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare.
Crowds line the streets waving flags as the parade travels from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, alongside members of the Royal Family.
A royal salute greets the Queen upon her arrival at Horse Guards Parade before she inspects troops wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.
The annual display closes with a flypast by the Royal Air Force which is watched by members of the Royal Family from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The Red Arrows take part in the RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace on June 8 last year
The Queen waves from The Mall before the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 9, 2018
The Queen left Buckingham Palace last Thursday for Windsor Castle, where she was joined by husband Prince Philip who arrived by helicopter from Sandringham.
Since then her son Prince Charles tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, and is now in self-isolation at his Scottish residence in Birkhall, away from his wife Camilla.
Charles took part in the UK round of applause for the NHS last night, smartly dressed in a tweed jacket and open-necked shirt and appearing to be in good health.
The Queen has been holding weekly meetings by telephone with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who today revealed he had tested positive for the virus.
The Government had called on all Britons, particularly the over-70s, to avoid all non-essential contact and travel as part of unprecedented peacetime measures.
The Queen, who is the world’s longest reigning monarch, will turn 94 on April 21, and the risk of more severe symptoms from the coronavirus is greater for the elderly.
All of the monarch’s planned public engagements, including the annual Maundy Service and the May garden parties, have already been cancelled.
The palace said that the Queen remains in ‘good health’ and last met Mr Johnson 16 days ago. She is ‘following all the appropriate advice with regards to her welfare’.