| Queen Elizabeth II (R) inspects her guardsmen and cavalry from her carriage during The Queen's Birthday Parade, "Trooping the Color" at Horse Guards Parade in London, June 16, 2007. The ceremony is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. In 1748, it was decided that the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign. More than 600 guardsmen and cavalry make up the parade, a celebration of the Sovereign's official birthday, although the Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April. (Xinhua/AFP) |
