In two weeks, King Charles III will attend Trooping the Colour for the first time as Monarch. How much do you know about this annual ceremony? As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.
1. Upon what anniversary does the ceremony take place?
The Battle of Waterloo
WRONG Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed first during the reign of Charles II. Then, in 1748, it was decided this parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign (as opposed to their actual birthday) and it became an annual event after George III became King in 1760, except during the World Wars and a national strike in 1955.
The Monarch’s official birthday
CORRECT Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed first during the reign of Charles II. Then, in 1748, it was decided this parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign (as opposed to their actual birthday) and it became an annual event after George III became King in 1760, except during the World Wars and a national strike in 1955.
The formation of the Household Cavalry
WRONG Trooping the Colour is believed to have been performed first during the reign of Charles II. Then, in 1748, it was decided this parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign (as opposed to their actual birthday) and it became an annual event after George III became King in 1760, except during the World Wars and a national strike in 1955.
2. What is the Colour?
The guards’ bright red tunics
WRONG Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century when the flag or Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were therefore trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his regiment.
The regiment flag
CORRECT Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century when the flag or Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were therefore trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his regiment.
The Sovereign’s black horse
WRONG Trooping the Colour dates back to the time of Charles II in the 17th century when the flag or Colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and were therefore trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his regiment.
3. In modern times, where else has Trooping the Colour taken place?
Windsor Castle
CORRECT Three times the ceremony, known as ‘Mini’ Trooping the Colour has taken place at Windsor Castle twice due to Covid-19.
Edinburgh Castle
WRONG Three times the ceremony, known as ‘Mini’ Trooping the Colour has taken place at Windsor Castle twice due to Covid-19.
Caernarfon Castle
WRONG Three times the ceremony, known as ‘Mini’ Trooping the Colour has taken place at Windsor Castle twice due to Covid-19.
4. How many words of command are spoken?
113
CORRECT With over 1,400 officers and men on parade, together with 200 horses; over 400 musicians from 6 bands and corps of drums marching and playing as one, only 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade.
213
WRONG With over 1,400 officers and men on parade, together with 200 horses; over 400 musicians from 6 bands and corps of drums marching and playing as one, only 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade.
13
WRONG With over 1,400 officers and men on parade, together with 200 horses; over 400 musicians from 6 bands and corps of drums marching and playing as one, only 113 words of command are given by the Officer in Command of the Parade.
5. What mustn’t be worn by members of the public?
Denim
CORRECT Because the Monarch is in attendance, everyone must be dressed in their best, and no one can wear denim, shorts or sandals. The no-jeans rule is stated, like, three times. Technically, hats are optional but are recommended for paying the necessary compliments to His Majesty and worn due to the hot nature of the summer’s day. Failure to comply with the dress code results in a person being turned away.
Hats
WRONG Because the Monarch is in attendance, everyone must be dressed in their best, and no one can wear denim, shorts or sandals. The no-jeans rule is stated, like, three times. Technically, hats are optional but are recommended for paying the necessary compliments to His Majesty and worn due to the hot nature of the summer’s day. Failure to comply with the dress code results in a person being turned away.
Red
WRONG Because the Monarch is in attendance, everyone must be dressed in their best, and no one can wear denim, shorts or sandals. The no-jeans rule is stated, like, three times. Technically, hats are optional but are recommended for paying the necessary compliments to His Majesty and worn due to the hot nature of the summer’s day. Failure to comply with the dress code results in a person being turned away.
6. What event happened in 1981?
An IRA protest
WRONG In 1981, the appropriately named Marcus Simon Serjeant tried to kill the Queen when she rode past. He was inspired by John Lennon’s killer to assassinate someone for fame. Luckily, he didn’t realize that his gun was only firing blanks, and the Queen survived the terrifying scenario.
An attempted assassination
CORRECT In 1981, the appropriately named Marcus Simon Serjeant tried to kill the Queen when she rode past. He was inspired by John Lennon’s killer to assassinate someone for fame. Luckily, he didn’t realize that his gun was only firing blanks, and the Queen survived the terrifying scenario.
Many of the horses were sick
WRONG In 1981, the appropriately named Marcus Simon Serjeant tried to kill the Queen when she rode past. He was inspired by John Lennon’s killer to assassinate someone for fame. Luckily, he didn’t realize that his gun was only firing blanks, and the Queen survived the terrifying scenario.
7. For what are heat guns used?
To ward off protestors
WRONG The boots are the trickiest of all to clean. It’s a long process that can take up to 11 hours. First, each boot has to be burnt down with a heat gun while a mixture of beeswax and black polish is worked into it. Once set more black polish is applied in layers and then ‘bulled’ with a thoroughly washed duster that is dabbed in water and polish. If done correctly the first time the future bulling process becomes much quicker. 1,200 pots of polish have to be bought and provided to the men of the Household Division to pass muster on the day.
To flatten the procession route
WRONG The boots are the trickiest of all to clean. It’s a long process that can take up to 11 hours. First, each boot has to be burnt down with a heat gun while a mixture of beeswax and black polish is worked into it. Once set more black polish is applied in layers and then ‘bulled’ with a thoroughly washed duster that is dabbed in water and polish. If done correctly the first time the future bulling process becomes much quicker. 1,200 pots of polish have to be bought and provided to the men of the Household Division to pass muster on the day.
To polish boots
CORRECT The boots are the trickiest of all to clean. It’s a long process that can take up to 11 hours. First, each boot has to be burnt down with a heat gun while a mixture of beeswax and black polish is worked into it. Once set more black polish is applied in layers and then ‘bulled’ with a thoroughly washed duster that is dabbed in water and polish. If done correctly the first time the future bulling process becomes much quicker. 1,200 pots of polish have to be bought and provided to the men of the Household Division to pass muster on the day.
8. How much horse manure is left behind?
2 tons
WRONG The average horse produces 50 lbs of manure a day. On the day of Trooping the Colour, there could be 4.5 tons of it on the streets. That would be 63 tons of horse manure in the two weeks leading up to the event. No wonder they need a team of five road sweepers on the day organised by the management of the Royal Parks.
1 ton
WRONG The average horse produces 50 lbs of manure a day. On the day of Trooping the Colour, there could be 4.5 tons of it on the streets. That would be 63 tons of horse manure in the two weeks leading up to the event. No wonder they need a team of five road sweepers on the day organised by the management of the Royal Parks.
4.5 tons
CORRECT The average horse produces 50 lbs of manure a day. On the day of Trooping the Colour, there could be 4.5 tons of it on the streets. That would be 63 tons of horse manure in the two weeks leading up to the event. No wonder they need a team of five road sweepers on the day organised by the management of the Royal Parks.
9. Why are the guards’ uniforms red?
Red naturally blends making it difficult to estimate numbers
CORRECT Contrary to some rumours it’s not so that blood doesn’t appear to the enemy when shot. In 1645 when the New Model Army was formed a cheap form of dye was used to ensure all uniforms were of a similar colour. Naturally, over time the uniforms faded and weren’t as bright on the battlefield. Warfare was of a different order then, with more orchestrated battles where the enemy could easily be identified. Red was interestingly useful as units naturally blended wearing this colour, making it difficult to estimate numbers.
So their blood doesn’t show when shot
WRONG Contrary to some rumours it’s not so that blood doesn’t appear to the enemy when shot. In 1645 when the New Model Army was formed a cheap form of dye was used to ensure all uniforms were of a similar colour. Naturally, over time the uniforms faded and weren’t as bright on the battlefield. Warfare was of a different order then, with more orchestrated battles where the enemy could easily be identified. Red was interestingly useful as units naturally blended wearing this colour, making it difficult to estimate numbers.
The dye was readably available
WRONG Contrary to some rumours it’s not so that blood doesn’t appear to the enemy when shot. In 1645 when the New Model Army was formed a cheap form of dye was used to ensure all uniforms were of a similar colour. Naturally, over time the uniforms faded and weren’t as bright on the battlefield. Warfare was of a different order then, with more orchestrated battles where the enemy could easily be identified. Red was interestingly useful as units naturally blended wearing this colour, making it difficult to estimate numbers.
10. What timepiece determines the time that the Monarch arrives?
Big Ben
WRONG As the clock on Horse Guards chimes 11 o’clock His Majesty The King arrives to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division on parade. After the salute The King rides up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops on parade.
Horse Guards clock
CORRECT As the clock on Horse Guards chimes 11 o’clock His Majesty The King arrives to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division on parade. After the salute The King rides up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops on parade.
The Monarch’s watch
WRONG As the clock on Horse Guards chimes 11 o’clock His Majesty The King arrives to take the Royal Salute from the officers and men of the Household Division on parade. After the salute The King rides up and down the ranks, inspecting the troops on parade.
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