Trooping the Color for the Queen's Birthday

The Queen's birthday is celebrated at least twice a year (so nice to be the Queen): on her actual birth date (April 21) and on a designated day in summer when the weather is bound to be nicer. Part of the Queen's Birthday Parade is called Trooping the Color, a tradition from the 1700s that brings out a regal display of royal troops for HRH's review. We had the opportunity to watch one of the rehearsals - colors flying, multiple regiments, and lots of mounted cavalry guards. And the day just happened to coincide with the Champions League Final between ManU (hate 'em) and Barcelona (love 'em). Thousands of Barca fans also showed their colors all over the city, from Trafalgar Square to Wembley Stadium. A glorious 3:1 thrashing by Barca...can you say Messicre?...ole, ole, ole!

The colors from the Queen's Life Guards to Barcelona's Faithful