The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-06-02 00:00:00

TROOPING THE COLOURS.

The annual ceremony of trooping the colours by the
Brigade of Guards, quartered in London, took place
on Tuesday morniug on the parade ground, in rear of
the Horse Guards, in the presence of several thousand
spectators. The event is generally celebrated on her
Majesty's birthday, but was postponed, in conse-
quence of the unpropitious state of the weather on
Satut day .

The troops on the ground consisted of one troop of
the Royal Horse Guards, four companies of Grenadiers,
four companies of Coldstreams, and two of the Scots
Guards. The Horse Guards, who were accompanied
by the full band of the regiment, occupied the right of
the line, their position being within a few yards of the
official residence of the Prime Minister, who for a
short time, with other members of his family, wit-
nessed the parade. The Foot Guards were drawn up
in line facing the Horse Guards, the whole being under
the command of the Field Officer of the Brigade in
Waiting. Shortly after that hour H.R.H. the Duchess
of Teck, who was accompanied by several of her chil-
dren, drove up to the Horse Guards and occupied a
position at one of the windows of the Commander-in.
Chief's reception room. A few minutes afterwards
H.R. H. the Princess of Wales arrived with her two
son., Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of
Wales, and the three Princesses, and viewed the scene
from the centre window of the duke's room.

At half-past ten the troops stood to attention, and
the staff of the Home District and of Head-quarters
were seen approaching from the direction of the Mall.
Following them came most of the attaches at the Court
of St. James's, and then the Commander-in-Chief,
who wore the uniform of a colonel or the Guards. He
had on his right his Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales, in the uniform of Colonel of the Hon. Artillery
Company, and on his left Prince Saxe-Meiningen,
who was dressed in the uniform of a general of the
German Infantry.

On taking up their position opposite the centre of
the line, the Guards delivered a Royal salute, after
Which the illustrous party made a minute inspection
of the ranks, the band of the Grenadiers playing the
grand march " lolanthe." When this ceremony was
completed, the real purpose of the parade began. The
bands in slow time marched across the parade ground
playing "Lee Huguenots," and on their return the
quick step of "Konig Jerome." They then took up a
position in front of the escort of the "Queen's Colour,"
which was composed of a company of the Guards, and to
the tune of the "British Grenadiers," again marched
across the parade, halting at the Pall Mall end, to re-
ceive the "colour," This was handed over to the
care of one of the junior lieutenants of the regiment,
and being saluted first by the escort, and then by Lhe
brigade, was borne by him down the front of the line,
the escort marching parallel to him, but in rear.
While the colour was being trooped, the band played
the march in "Scipio." Then followed a march past
of the brigade, the cavalry of the guard being played
past with their own band.
On the conclusion of the march past, the command
was again thrown into line, a Royal salute was de-
livered, and the proceedings were brought to a close.