Army

Troops parade under the glare of the sun – so they can march under the gaze of the King

Mike Morton

1st June 2026 at 12:42pm

These soldiers from The Grenadier Guards were among the roughly 1, 000 soldiers and 200 horses that took part in the Major General's Review

The major general in question is this man, Major General James Bowder, General Officer Commanding London District and the major general commanding the Household Division

This Blues & Royals officer is a member of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment - the ceremonial cavalry unit of the British Army, which performs state and royal duties in London

As with the Household Cavalry itself, the HCMR is comprised of two regiments, the Blues & Royals and, as seen here, The Life Guards

A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, a member of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who died after falling from her mount following a display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Discipline is one of the core values of the British Army, with these Guardsmen displaying perfect self-discipline in marching and holding formation while casting shadows from the hot sun above

This year it's the turn of The King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards to troop their Colour before the monarch

Having met with Major General Bowder's approval, the soldiers' next test will be the Colonel's Review on 6 June before the actual event on Saturday 13 June

Soldiers from the Household Division have passed a crucial milestone – the Major General's Review – as they prepare for the most important date in the ceremonial calendar, Trooping the Colour.

The Major General's Review was the first full dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, the King's Birthday Parade.

Taking place at Horse Guards Parade in London, it featured roughly 1,000 soldiers and 200 horses from the Household Division and King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery on parade in their full ceremonial dress.

Birthday honoured

The event allowed Major General James Bowder, the General Officer Commanding, London District and the Major General commanding the Household Division, to inspect the soldiers and ensure all timings, precision and standards are perfect.

And as a mark of respect to Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, who was killed in an incident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a minute's silence was observed.

The Major General's Review will be followed by The Colonel's Review on 6 June before the actual event, the King's Birthday Parade.

Trooping the Colour, which marks the Sovereign's official birthday, is steeped in centuries of tradition and remains a cornerstone of British military ceremonial.

His Majesty's actual birthday is 14 November, while the ceremony of Trooping the Colour this year falls on Saturday 13 June.