3. Pageantry

Pageantry* and other colourful ceremonies are part of every day life in Britain.

1. Royal Ceremonies*

The Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard* at Buckingham and St. James’s Palaces era ceremonies of great interest. Each new guard mounts sentries* for 24 hours, though sometimes the guard remains on duty for 48 hours.

The ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place daily 11.30 a.m. By tradition the duty of mounting the Queen’s Guard is undertaken by one occasionally the honour is given to a Regiment of the Line* or to one of other Services*. The ceremony is attended by one of the Regimental bands.

At the Horse Guards* in the Whitehalf the Changing of the Queen’s Life Guard Of Household Cavalry* takes place at 11 a.m. on weekdays and at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Trooping the Colour*

It is annual ceremony which blends two ancient military custom-guard mounting and lodging the colours. It recalls the day when each company of soldiers had its own colours clearly visible as rallying points in dust and confusion of battle. Each evening the colours were ceremonially carried down the ranks and escorted to a billet be lodged for the night.

From this derives the magnificent display of the marching and wheeling by the Regiments of the brigade of Guards, which marks the Sovereign’s Birthday (in June). __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

At different traditional ceremonies you will see bright and very picturesque uniforms worn by the guards, troopers and sentries of her Majesty’s own Royal Guards Regiments. The troopers of the horse Guards regiment which has existed since the 12^thcentury, have bright red gold uniforms, shining top-boots, golden helmets with features.

The Gurkha soldiers* wear high Gurkha fur hats.

Drums are drumming, banners are flying, the drummer’ sticks and flying up in the air.

2. Lord Mayor’s Day

Lord Mayor* of London lives in the City – in the Mansion House* – a big, impressive house with a classic front very much like a Greek temple.

The Lord Mayor is the first citizen of the City and the first Magistrate*. He has the Keys of the City. No troops are allowed to cross the limits of the City, neither King or Queen are allowed to come here without his permission.

The Lord Mayor is elected every year by the Aldermen and every year on the second Saturday in November there is a great ceremony – “The Lord Mayor’s Show”.

The streets are packed with people, nobody wants to miss the great event. The Lord Mayor is dressed in a traditional medieval red velvet robe with fur, and a golden chain, and a fantastic hat. He has flowers in his hands . the escort clad in picturesque 17^thcentury uniform according to tradition, the Household Cavalry, the State Trumpeters and several military bands all lend additional splendour to the scene.

The Lord Mayor drives slowly through the cheering crowded streets from the Guildhall* to the High Court of Justice* to receive from the magistrates the key of the City. The gilded historic carriage (300 years old) is drawn by six horses in red and gold harness. After the election the Lord Mayor holds his Grand Banquet in the Guildhall of the Corporation of the City.