Prince William oversees final preparations for Trooping the Colour ahead of Jubilee

28 May 2022, 16:20 | Updated: 28 May 2022, 16:37

The Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, carries out the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade
The Duke of Cambridge, Colonel of the Irish Guards, carries out the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

Prince William has led the full dress rehearsal for next week's Trooping the Colour ceremony, ahead of his grandmothers Platinum Jubilee.

The Duke of Cambridge on horseback, oversaw the 90-minute rehearsal for the annual military spectacle which will this year kick off the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations during the long bank holiday weekend.

The Queen, who is 96, has mobility issues and now uses a walking stick.

It would be a rare absence during the Queen's 70-year reign if she did not to attend the central London ceremony on June 2 which marks the monarch's official birthday but she has recently missed several events due to mobility issues.

It is believed the Queen could view the ceremony from a raised platform but Buckingham Palace has said her presence at the Jubilee events may not be confirmed until the day.

If the Queen does delegate her salute duties at Trooping the Colour, which has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years, then her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, may take her place.

Charles, The Princess Royal and William would take part in the event on horseback.

Read more: Brits set to bask in sunshine over Jubilee weekend as 'rather warm' conditions forecast

Prince William attends Colonels review on Horse Guards Parade

Today, William watched as more than 1,500 soldiers and 350 horses carried out complex battlefield drill manoeuvres.

They included Devon-based trooper Samuel Wallace, 24, who is the first practising Rastafarian in the Household Guards.

The Army views him as one of its most impressive junior soldiers and he has been made part of the royal escort team for the ceremony.

More than 7,000 guests watched as the soldiers and military horses carried out some of the most challenging drills to a programme of music.

They are braced in ceremonial positions for most of the ceremony and it is the culmination of hours of practice and attention to detail.

The music included Slattery's Mounted Fut, a favourite tune of the late Queen Mother, and Long Live Elizabeth, in tribute to The Queen, an Army spokesman said.

Read more: Queen’s troops arrested over drug offences days before Platinum Jubilee parade

In addition to the familiar traditional regimental marches there were Irish folk songs and a new composition just for the event - called Bob's Own - named in honour of the first Colonel of the Irish Guards, Field Marshal Lord Roberts.

This will be the first full Trooping of the Colour on Horse Guards for three years.

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards received their new colours from William in a ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier this month. Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes, who is charge of planning the parade, said: "It is a big day in the calendar.

"I think there is more pressure because it is the start of such a significant week.

"We need to set the right tone. We are aiming for excellence and hoping the public will get involved and feel there are moments in (the Jubilee celebrations) for them."

Lieutenant Charles Bashall 24, who will carry the Colour on parade, said it is "an incredible privilege" to be part of the Jubilee event especially as "there may never be one again."

Saturday's final rehearsal followed the Major General's review on Saturday May 21 during which three people were taken to hospital after sections of the spectator stands collapsed.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

One of the new trains being built at Siemens' Rail Village in Goole, a manufacturing facility in East Yorkshire

State-of-the-art new £3bn fleet of air-conditioned Piccadilly line trains delayed by a year

Nurse preparing blood sample from a young girl

Warning of cervical cancer risk in young women due to low vaccine uptake - as rates 65% higher in deprived areas

HMS Spey is one of two British warships permanently on patrol in the Indo-Pacific.

China says UK warship passage threatens 'peace and stability' in Taiwan Strait

Breaking
R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court.

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to attempting to cause GBH over alleged bottle attack at London nightclub

Fergus Ewing will run against his former party in next year's Holyrood elections.

Veteran SNP MSP to stand against party at Holyrood elections

LBC has gone swimming with sharks to celebrate the anniversary of Jaws.

'We're going to need a bigger...shark': LBC meets Jaws 50 years after the film that 'changed movies forever'

Jennifer Abbot, 69, was discovered stabbed to death in her Camden home

Woman, 69, charged with murder of film director 'killed for her diamond-encrusted Rolex'

Qari Abdul Rauf (L) and Adil Khan (R) remain in the UK

Rochdale grooming gang leaders may finally be deported to Pakistan 'if the UK restores direct flights'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed he has not yet spoken to winger Mykhailo Mudryk since the Ukrainian was charged with violating anti-doping rules

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca yet to speak to Mykhailo Mudryk after doping charges

.

Two e-scooter riding pro-Palestine activists breach RAF Brize Norton and sabotage two military jets

Exclusive
Sophie Blake

Mum with incurable stage-four cancer urges government to pass Assisted Dying Bill

A woman shopping in a supermarket

UK retail sales slump in May after ‘dismal’ month for supermarkets

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Regime change in Iran is 'unacceptable', Kremlin warns, as Israel says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'cannot continue to exist'

Coldplay are to reissue nine of their previous albums on clear records made from recycled plastic bottles.

'Fix You - and the planet': Coldplay to reissue nine albums on clear records made from recycled plastic bottles

Rachel

Crowds gather to watch Eva Peron star Rachel Zegler sing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' from West End theatre balcony

Scientists are to examine whether drugs that are already in use could be repurposed to treat the symptoms of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s charities fast-track drug reuse to cut treatment delays