Parade marks Queen Elizabeth's 71st (official) birthday

June 14, 1997
Web posted at: 11:38 p.m. EDT (0338 GMT)

(CNN) -- Riding in an open horse-drawn carriage, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her official birthday Saturday in regal style.

Thousands cheered as the monarch rode along the flag-bedecked mall between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade in the heart of the Whitehall government district.

With the queen were her 97-year-old mother, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Prince Charles and Prince Edward.

Marking the occasion were F Company Scots Guards who performed the intricate Trooping the Color, a ceremony that symbolizes the soldiers' loyalty.

With its odd mix of quick and slow marches and maneuvers, the centuries-old march takes months of preparation and hours of practice to master.

The queen turned 71 on April 21 but, according to tradition, the public ceremony is conducted on the second Saturday in June.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 

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