Royal Marines Gear Up For Beating Retreat

The Massed Band of the Royal Marines have been putting the final touches to this years performance of Beating Retreat.

Lieutenant Colonel John Ridley, the Royal Marines Principal Director of Music, says the programme is far more demanding than a normal military display. 

"The complexity of marching and performing with 250 musicians"

The spectacle dates back to the 16th century and has now become one of the biggest events in the military calendar. 

The Royal Marines perform the ceremony every two years.

Beating Retreat is performed on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings preceding the Queen’s Birthday Parade, or Trooping The Colour.