Van Helsing
My glass is half empty.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2004
- Messages
- 1,390
Thousands of people lined central London's streets for the annual Trooping the Colour to mark the Queen's official 78th birthday.
The Queen and Prince Philip travelled along The Mall in a carriage before inspecting the troops of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.
Tight security surrounded the parade with guests at the inspection passing through metal detectors.
Police on foot and horseback also patrolled the surrounding streets.
Lengthy queues formed at Horse Guards Parade as guests passed through a three-stage security check point.
Captain Ben Sempala-Ntege, 27, made history by becoming the first black officer to take command of an elite horse unit at the event - although he is not the first black officer to take part in the event.
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April but it is customary for her to take part in the public celebrations during the summer months.
Also the Irish Guards displayed their Al Basra Star before the Queen for the first time during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
The silver cap star was created to commemorate the death of two Irish Guards on active duty in Iraq just over a year ago.
Only one was struck - to be worn in service by the regiment's pipe major "so they will always be remembered".
The star is worn on Pipe Major Rod Allan's cap.
"The regiment wanted to do something to honour L/Cpl Ian Malone (28), from Dublin, and Piper Christopher Muzvuru (20), from Zimbabwe," he said.
The two soldiers were killed by sniper fire on active duty in Basra in Iraq in April 2003.
"This will be the first time that the Al Basra Star will be worn on ceremonial duty. Ian was a father figure within the pipes and drums - extremely intelligent with a wealth of knowledge and wit to match, his death is still felt within the battalion."
About 400 young soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards lined Horse Guards Parade from Buckingham Palace, marching from their nearby Wellington Barracks.
I look great on TV
The Queen and Prince Philip travelled along The Mall in a carriage before inspecting the troops of the Household Division at Horse Guards Parade.
Tight security surrounded the parade with guests at the inspection passing through metal detectors.
Police on foot and horseback also patrolled the surrounding streets.
Lengthy queues formed at Horse Guards Parade as guests passed through a three-stage security check point.
Captain Ben Sempala-Ntege, 27, made history by becoming the first black officer to take command of an elite horse unit at the event - although he is not the first black officer to take part in the event.
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April but it is customary for her to take part in the public celebrations during the summer months.
Also the Irish Guards displayed their Al Basra Star before the Queen for the first time during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony.
The silver cap star was created to commemorate the death of two Irish Guards on active duty in Iraq just over a year ago.
Only one was struck - to be worn in service by the regiment's pipe major "so they will always be remembered".
The star is worn on Pipe Major Rod Allan's cap.
"The regiment wanted to do something to honour L/Cpl Ian Malone (28), from Dublin, and Piper Christopher Muzvuru (20), from Zimbabwe," he said.
The two soldiers were killed by sniper fire on active duty in Basra in Iraq in April 2003.
"This will be the first time that the Al Basra Star will be worn on ceremonial duty. Ian was a father figure within the pipes and drums - extremely intelligent with a wealth of knowledge and wit to match, his death is still felt within the battalion."
About 400 young soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards lined Horse Guards Parade from Buckingham Palace, marching from their nearby Wellington Barracks.
I look great on TV
and his birthday really is in the summer, July 14-Bastille Day in France if I'm not mistaken.
- as for most Americans really couldn't care, i'm not sure if thats correct. But i guess thats JHO 
