[Collection of 6 postcards] Trooping the Colour

[A collection of 6 postcards] Trooping the Colour, circulated by Raphael Tuck & Sons, London 1930, dimensions 24 x 16.5 cm. Cardboard cover. Album in b. good condition.

Postcards from the Oilettes series, which resemble miniature oil paintings produced by Raphael Tuck & Sons. Each post card includes on the back a description [in English, decorative initials] of the holiday Trooping the Colour which is a holiday celebrated in Britain in June to mark the monarch's birthday, although Elizabeth II's birthday is April 21.

Since the 17th century, there has been a tradition of celebrating the monarch's birthday in June. King George II celebrated his birthday in October, but the weather was unpleasant during that period, so the king decided to "move" his birthday and officially celebrate it in a warmer month. Since 1748, it has become a tradition that the monarch's birthday is celebrated in June. On a June Saturday, a parade with the British military begins at around 10:00 am. Military units, consisting of about 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and orchestras, and about 400 musicians, head to the ceremony site on Parade Square. Behind them, in a procession from Buckingham Palace, ride members of the royal family, and at the very end the monarch with her husband Prince Philip in a carriage. In her younger days, the queen rode a horse. The procession with the royal family follows along The Mall to St. James' Park, escorted by the Household Cavalry (one of the two oldest regiments in the British army) and a horse band.

Upon returning in front of Buckingham Palace, the Queen receives honors from the military. She makes a ceremonial inspection of the military units gathered in the square in front of Buckingham Palace, during which one of the British infantry units presents its banner in front of the Queen. When all the troops have formed into the shape of a marching column, the parade begins in front of the Queen, who watches it from a set platform. The monarchical family then returns to Buckingham Palace.

A salute is sounded from 41 cannons, which are located in Green Park, and a salute from 62 cannons set up in the Tower of London. After the cannon salutes and the ceremony, which lasts about 1 hour, the reigning family appears on the balcony, from which they admire the flight of Royal Air Force aircraft.