Trooping the Colour and Other Ceremonies
Every year, thousands of tourists from around the world press their noses to the ornate gates of the palace to watch one of London's most fascinating ceremonies.
You'll find lots more information on the Changing of the Guard here.
But London has many other ceremonies and pageants, many with a long history. Here are a few of the most famous ones:Trooping the Colour
The Pageant of Trooping the Colour marks the official birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, and takes place at Horse Guards Parade on the Saturday nearest June 6th.
This is a very impressive ceremony and large crowds gather to view the spectacle. The guards line up to greet The Queen, who is their colonel-in-chief.Massed bands perform stirring military music while the ceremony is performed, with spectacular displays of marching.
The colour, (flag) of one of the foot regiments, is trooped (displayed) to The Queen for her inspection.Firing a Royal Salute
Gun salutes take place in Hyde Park and the Tower of London. They are performed to mark important anniversaries such as the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen on April 21st, also her accession to the throne on February 6th.
The salutes are fired by the King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park; while at the Tower it is carried out by the Honourable Artillery Company.The Ceremony of the Keys
The Ceremony of the Keys is one of London's oldest traditions, and has been taking place every night for more than 700 years!
The Tower of London is guarded by Yeoman warders, or Beefeaters as they are often referred to.They wear the well-known Tudor scarlet and gold uniforms, with white ruffs at the neck, and black hats.
It is the responsibility of the chief warder, each night, to lock the great gates of the Tower. At 10 p.m. dressed in a long red coat and black hat, together with his escort, he makes his way to the gates.
As they approach the Bloody Tower, a sentry challenges them, the sentry cries out "Halt! Who goes there?" The chief warder replies "The Keys" the sentry then asks "Whose Keys?"
Lifting his hat in the air in respect of the monarch, the chief warder answers "Queen Elizabeth's Keys. God preserve Queen Elizabeth" The sentry then replies "Amen".
Tickets to see this ancient ceremony are issued free of charge - but there is a lot of demand, and the ceremony is usually sold out months in advance so book online well ahead of your visit.
Swan Upping
The swans on the River Thames are jointly owned by the Sovereign and two city companies, or guilds, the Dyers and Vintners.The rights of ownership dates from the middle ages, when swan was considered to be a delicacy and was served at banquets.
Each July, swanmasters or swan-uppers of the Queen and the Dyers and Vintners, go out in boats decked with colourful banners, to perform the old ceremony of lifting and marking the swans.
Opening of the Courts
In October each year a service is held in Westminster Abbey to observe the beginning of the new legal year.All judges of England and Wales, together with leading barristers, are invited to be present.
When the service is over, the procession takes place from the abbey to the House of Lords, for the customary Lord Chancellor's Breakfast.
Although this may not be one of London's more colourful processions, it is none the less impressive to see these dignified ladies and gentlemen in their legal robes and wigs, as they make their way towards The Houses of Parliament.
The legal year has four sittings, beginning in October with Michaelmas; Hillary commences in January, followed by Easter and the Trinity sitting starts in May.
The Lord Mayor's Show
The Lord Mayor's Show which dates back to the 15th century, is held each year on the second Saturday in November.This is a bright and cheering event, at the time of year when the skies of London can be grey and the weather gloomy.
The newly elected Lord Mayor is taken in his gilded coach from Guildhall, past St. Paul's Cathedral, down Fleet Street to the Royal Courts of Justice to take the oath of office in front of the Lord Chief Justice.
The Lord Mayor's magnificent coach weighs four tons and is pulled by six horses.
It was built in 1757 and an Italian painter and engraver from Florence, Giovanni Cipriani, (who also painted the Gold State Coach, which you can see in The Royal Mews) painted the side panels.
A bodyguard march alongside the coach; these are members of the company of Pikemen and Musketeers. Many in the procession wear traditional costume, making this one of the most interesting and colourful events to take place in London.A different aspect of London life, or its history, is chosen every year and portrayed in scenes mounted on floats, which precede the Lord Mayor's Coach.
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