Since 1748, Trooping the Colour has also marked the official birthday of the British sovereign. It is held in London annually on a Saturday in June. In 2017, it was on Saturday 17th. 

After receiving a royal salute, the Queen inspects her troops : the foot guards, the horse guards, the King's Troop and the Royal Horse Artillery. 

Then the Queen returns to Buckingham Palace. After a 41-gun salute in Green Park, Elizabeth II  leads the Royal Family on to the palace balcony for a Royal Air Force flypast.

Over 1000 officers and men are on parade, together with two hundred horses; over two hundred musicians from six bands and corps of drums march and play as one.

This year, because of the heat (25°C) 5 Guardsmen fainted.

Prince Charles and Prince William took part in the parade.

More on:

BBC, the Daily Telegraph, Twitter / Royal Family