saying, the complex, as henry was saying, the germans are fully trained soldiers. sometimes it depends on the world battalion, but by and large the core ones are the machine gun platoon. —— the drummers are fully trained soldiers. numberone to number one to five guards will advance — number one to five guards will advance. number six guards, close order~ _ advance. number six guards, close order. march! move to the right in threes _

order. march! move to the right in threes. right. guards will march past in slow and quick— guards will march past in slow and quick time — guards will march past in slow and quick time. by the left. slow. march! — quick time. by the left. slow. march! 50— quick time. by the left. slow. march! ., ., , ., quick time. by the left. slow. march! . ., , ., , march! 50 the parade moves into its next phase. — march! so the parade moves into its next phase. this _ march! so the parade moves into its next phase, this time _ march! so the parade moves into its next phase, this time involving - next phase, this time involving members of all six guards, they march past the saluting base in slow and quick time with the rousing regimental marches reinforcing that sense of identity, but before that they guards are forming up to the two of a non—regimental or neutral march, this one called tax freedom of windsor. they perform their own function. b. of windsor. they perform their own function. �* . .., of windsor. they perform their own function. �* . of windsor. they perform their own function. n ., of windsor. they perform their own function. �* . .,. ., function. a critical part to allow the guards _ function. a critical part to allow the guards to — function. a critical part to allow the guards to form _ function. a critical part to allow the guards to form up - function. a critical part to allow the guards to form up and - function. a critical part to allow the guards to form up and be . function. a critical part to allow - the guards to form up and be ready to conduct a march past, but freedom

of windsor is interesting because it is home to the welsh guards at the moment, and indeed the golfing guards, and elements of the household cavalry training troupe. this piece of music written in the 60s by a former irish guards head of music to celebrate all the footguards battalions having the freedom, and his daughters here today in the crowd.— freedom, and his daughters here today in the crowd. watching with interest. hopefully _ today in the crowd. watching with interest. hopefully enjoying - today in the crowd. watching with i interest. hopefully enjoying every note of the music, ap step of the marching to. many of those on parade today, especially from the welsh guards, will have met the king and tim as prince of wales, either at formal events or more informal gatherings with the regiment. so i think it is fair to say that when we talk about a personal link, it is not empty talk, it actually mean something. not empty talk, it actually mean something-— not empty talk, it actually mean something. not empty talk, it actually mean somethina. , ., something. yes, we saw the new royal kernels in the — something. yes, we saw the new royal kernels in the possession, _ something. yes, we saw the new royal kernels in the possession, they - something. yes, we saw the new royal kernels in the possession, they may i kernels in the possession, they may be ceremonial titles but they build

a significant relationship with all the regiments, and for the welsh guards, the prince of wales, now they can come out was colonel from 1975, stood by the battalion throughout significant deployments to northern ireland, very difficult times after the falklands, multiple tours we have had through iraq and if ghana stand, very particular with the families as well. aha, if ghana stand, very particular with the families as well.— if ghana stand, very particular with the families as well. a good view of the families as well. a good view of the field officer— the families as well. a good view of the field officer brigade _ the families as well. a good view of the field officer brigade waiting, - the field officer brigade waiting, commanding officer of the welsh guards, collective responsibility today. guards, collective responsibility toda . , guards, collective responsibility toda. , ., ., guards, collective responsibility toda. , . . ., ., today. yes, again quite a rare occasion. _ today. yes, again quite a rare occasion. an _ today. yes, again quite a rare occasion, an appointment - today. yes, again quite a rare occasion, an appointment he| today. yes, again quite a rare - occasion, an appointment he holds for one day. a select group of us who have had the police to do it. he has trained incredibly hard. a lot of us have a lot of time spent practising through the winter, a little bit of gravel rash now and then, but he is doing a brilliant job. he understands the significance

of what he is doing today and entirely professional, concentrating on what comes next and the process of the parade. on what comes next and the process of the parade-— of the parade. what comes next is the march past — of the parade. what comes next is the march past the _ of the parade. what comes next is the march past the saluting - of the parade. what comes next is the march past the saluting base, | the march past the saluting base, and king on horseback you will take salute as monarch for the first time at the birthday parade. —— will take. early sign of marching to the colour

to the front of the escort, ready for the march past. —— the ensign. in the vast crowd today, prime minister rishi sunak along with lots of distinguished guests today, including prime ministers of some of the commonwealth states. when the march past gets under way, all eyes again well beyond the ensign, the tenant freddie hopkinson. now that she is at the front of the escort, he will be ready to lower and raise the colour for the king to flourish and recover, as it is known. lots of training and the welsh regimental march.

the colour there, the battle honours of the welsh guards, beautifully embroidered onto this crimson colour. freddie hopkinson looking very smart and very sharp.

the prince of wales in his first parade as colonel of the welsh guards, looking on proudly. the grenadiers slow march, and there is queen camilla, new kernel of the grenadier guards, looking on as number three guard parties the saluting base stop numberfour guard, left companies got scarred, they are regimental colonel since 1974, a vast period as being the duke of kent, who is 87 this year. and watching from the saluting base with the queen and the princess of

wales. numberfive number five guard, the numberfive guard, the irish guards, there is the princess of wales as there is the princess of wales as the royal colonel. number safeguard, number 7 company, coldstream guards. slow march. they are one is stjames bacchanal, who is riding on parade today. then we have the adjutant of the parade, captainjonathan leonard, 1st

battalion welsh guards, saluting the king as he passes.— king as he passes. johnny leaded doinu a king as he passes. johnny leaded doing a good _ king as he passes. johnny leaded doing a good job. _ king as he passes. johnny leaded doing a good job, following - king as he passes. johnny leaded doing a good job, following up i king as he passes. johnny leaded i doing a good job, following up team pareto ensured there are no defaulters, very experienced young man. served as a paratrooper for a number of tours in afghanistan before going to sign and committing the welsh guards, incredible experience as well as how well he is performing today. experience as well as how well he is performing today-— experience as well as how well he is performing today. music changing to another neutral _ performing today. music changing to another neutral slow _ performing today. music changing to another neutral slow march, - performing today. music changing to another neutral slow march, cardiff. another neutral slow march, cardiff castle. field officer riding out to salute the king. now that the slow march past is complete.

in the stands around horse guards today, thousands of family and friends of those taking part in the parade, and of course many more of you following the parade around the uk and overseas, among those here the family of lance sergeant, the lone drama we spoke about earlier, talking to jj charmers —— loan drama. talking to jj charmers -- loan drama. ., , ,, , ., ,, drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic, drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic. how— drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic, how are _ drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic, how are you _ drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic, how are you feeling - drama. you will be keeping a keen ionic, how are you feeling right - ionic, how are you feeling right now? . ., , , now? excited to be here, the first time to see. _ now? excited to be here, the first time to see. i _ now? excited to be here, the first time to see, i have _ now? excited to be here, the first time to see, i have seen - now? excited to be here, the first time to see, i have seen it - now? excited to be here, the first time to see, i have seen it on - time to see, i have seen it on television. _ time to see, i have seen it on television, but the first time to come _ television, but the first time to come back— television, but the first time to come back here, so i'm honoured to be here _ come back here, so i'm honoured to be here. ., ., ., ., come back here, so i'm honoured to be here-_ a i be here. you are not nervous? a little bit. — be here. you are not nervous? a little bit. a _ be here. you are not nervous? a little bit, a little _ be here. you are not nervous? a little bit, a little bit. _

be here. you are not nervous? a little bit, a little bit. not- be here. you are not nervous? a little bit, a little bit. not a - little bit, a little bit. not a little — little bit, a little bit. not a little bit, a little bit. not a little bit, very much! but i know they— little bit, very much! but i know they go— little bit, very much! but i know they go through a lot of drills and i they go through a lot of drills and l have _ they go through a lot of drills and i have seen them do very well, so am confident— i have seen them do very well, so am confident he — i have seen them do very well, so am confident he will do what he does best _ confident he will do what he does best. ., ., ., , _, ., best. you originally come from zambia, best. you originally come from zambia. what _ best. you originally come from zambia, what does _ best. you originally come from zambia, what does it _ best. you originally come from zambia, what does it mean - best. you originally come from zambia, what does it mean to | best. you originally come from i zambia, what does it mean to you as a nation to be part of this? brute zambia, what does it mean to you as a nation to be part of this?— a nation to be part of this? we are so roud a nation to be part of this? we are so proud of _ a nation to be part of this? we are so proud of him, _ a nation to be part of this? we are so proud of him, we _ a nation to be part of this? we are so proud of him, we celebrate i a nation to be part of this? we are i so proud of him, we celebrate things like this _ so proud of him, we celebrate things like this as — so proud of him, we celebrate things like this. as a family, we are proud to see _ like this. as a family, we are proud to see him — like this. as a family, we are proud to see him do what he does best, the music— to see him do what he does best, the music and _ to see him do what he does best, the music and everything.— music and everything. wonderful, thank you- _ music and everything. wonderful, thank you. enjoy. _ music and everything. wonderful, thank you. enjoy. neutral- music and everything. wonderful, thank you. enjoy. neutral quick i thank you. en'oy. neutral quick march as the i thank you. enjoy. neutral quick march as the march _ thank you. enjoy. neutral quick march as the march of- thank you. enjoy. neutral quick march as the march of the i thank you. enjoy. neutral quick| march as the march of the kings thank you. enjoy. neutral quick i march as the march of the kings men, nice to hear about the pride of family, to underline the support of families when it comes to a gathering like this. so families when it comes to a gathering like this. so lovely, i think none _ gathering like this. so lovely, i think none of— gathering like this. so lovely, i

think none of us _ gathering like this. so lovely, i think none of us in _ gathering like this. so lovely, i think none of us in the - gathering like this. so lovely, i think none of us in the militaryi gathering like this. so lovely, i- think none of us in the military can do what we do without the support of our families and friends. they support us. an extraordinary commitment whether we are on operations overseas are training and preparing for big events like this, it requires a huge amount of dedication and time comes at a cost, so our loved ones are usually appreciated for the support they give us. == appreciated for the support they rive us. , ., , appreciated for the support they riveus. ,. appreciated for the support they rive us. , . ,~ ,, _, ,, give us. -- usually appreciated. sir keir starmer. _ give us. -- usually appreciated. sir keir starmer, the _ give us. -- usually appreciated. sir keir starmer, the labour _ give us. -- usually appreciated. sir keir starmer, the labour leader, i keir starmer, the labour leader, among those watching the parade today, ready for this march past in quick time. the admiral, head of the armed forces, with his french counterpart. this march of the kings men composed in 1937, but despite its popularity it is the first time its popularity it is the first time it has been played at this birthday parade, a tribute to his majesty the king. a question we often ask at

this point, to do with a change of pace, the advantage and are there any disadvantages, the pros and cons of this big change. i any disadvantages, the pros and cons of this big change.— of this big change. i don't think necessarily _ of this big change. i don't think necessarily massive _ of this big change. i don't think necessarily massive pros i of this big change. i don't think necessarily massive pros and i of this big change. i don't think i necessarily massive pros and cons, certainly the change of pace and rhythm and just a slight adjustment in the formation to allow the guardsman to swing there are bit, throughout now as they march in quick time, whereas before in slow time they had the arm pinned by the side, little bit of adjustment, finding the rhythm and then ensuring they're stepping out at the right pace. they're stepping out at the right ace. ~ ., they're stepping out at the right ace. ~ . ., they're stepping out at the right ace, . ., ., ,., they're stepping out at the right ace. ~ ., ., .,~ they're stepping out at the right ace. . . ., y., . ~ ., , they're stepping out at the right ace. . . ., ., , , , pace. what do you make of this style so far? i might _ pace. what do you make of this style so far? i might be _ pace. what do you make of this style so far? i might be biased _ pace. what do you make of this style so far? i might be biased but - pace. what do you make of this style so far? i might be biased but i i so far? i might be biased but i think the battalion _ so far? i might be biased but i think the battalion are - so far? i might be biased but i think the battalion are looking good. think the battalion are looking tood. ., ., think the battalion are looking tood, ., ., , think the battalion are looking tood. ., ., , , ., , think the battalion are looking tood. ., ., , , ., good. you would be unwise to place a bet on that, — good. you would be unwise to place a bet on that. your _ good. you would be unwise to place a bet on that, your verdict _ good. you would be unwise to place a bet on that, your verdict is _ good. you would be unwise to place a bet on that, your verdict is going i bet on that, your verdict is going to be positive all the way. naturally! i think so far all of them looking back down the ranks, as

them looking back down the ranks, as the garter coming around into the back approach, looking really sharp —— as the guards are. having spoken to some of the members of the other guards in the irish guards and scots guards, all of them are absolutely adamant they want to put on the best possible show and set the benchmark for the first king's birthday parade. it for the first king's birthday parade. , ., for the first king's birthday parade. , . ., , ., parade. it is a new era, they want it to be memorable. _ parade. it is a new era, they want it to be memorable. absolutely. l

the welsh guards quick march, the rising of the... it is a very popular tune back in wales, not necessarily always in a military context. but it is a great march. yeah, incredible party hero played out here on the parade square, the shortest march in the british army 17 bars, but they will all be tuned into hearing their own regiment�*s marches, stand a little taller, marches, stand a little taller, march a little smarter. music changing to the british grenadiers, numberthree music changing to the british grenadiers, number three guard, the company. the scots guards quick

march, now. numberfour guard march, now. number four guard provided march, now. numberfour guard provided by f company scots guards commanded byjames drummond murray, fifth generation scots guards officer. the irish guards quick march, st patrick's day. company commander has a decade of service in the irish guards, his first birthday parade. the quick march for the coldstream guards. number six guard provided a number 7 company. —— provided a number 7 company. —— provided by the.

provided by adding provided a number 7 company. —— provided by adding music changing to the neutral quick march by the director of the household bands. it is called wisdom, determination and bravery. . field officer once again riding our ten saluting the king. —— writing out and saluting. as regards the form of the next stage of the parade, riding out once again, if you days ago he took a break from all the preparations to share his thoughts. i all the preparations to share his thou~hts. ., all the preparations to share his thou~hts. . ., , ., ., all the preparations to share his thou~hts. . ., ., thoughts. i am hoping that a lasting imression thoughts. i am hoping that a lasting impression that _ thoughts. i am hoping that a lasting impression that the _ thoughts. i am hoping that a lasting impression that the king _ thoughts. i am hoping that a lasting impression that the king takes i thoughts. i am hoping that a lastingj impression that the king takes away from this— impression that the king takes away from this birthday parade is that it sets the _ from this birthday parade is that it sets the standard he would like to see for— sets the standard he would like to see for all— sets the standard he would like to see for all the subsequent parades. it is see for all the subsequent parades. it is not _ see for all the subsequent parades. it is notjust showing off my talent in the _ it is notjust showing off my talent in the colours but having the chance to represent the armed forces and the sovereign. when you are a commanding officer, yah emotionally

invested, _ commanding officer, yah emotionally invested, so to see them showing themselves off and all the hard work they have _ themselves off and all the hard work they have done, the sacrifices their families— they have done, the sacrifices their families have to make as well to support— families have to make as well to support them, i feel huge pride. he was support them, i feel huge pride. was talking support them, i feel huge pride. he: was talking to as ap days ago, we met him and all of the team at windsor earlier this week, so some of the hard work going into the high standards for today. met quite a few of the guardsmen there who have a great enthusiasm for boxing, we were chatting about their fitness regime which puts some of us to shame, i have to say! but what i liked about was the family spirit.— was the family spirit. huge experience. _ was the family spirit. huge experience, huge i was the family spirit. huge experience, huge spirit i was the family spirit. huge i experience, huge spirit within was the family spirit. hire experience, huge spirit within the battalion. the battalion is first and foremost welsh, we recruit 90%

of our guardsmen from dependability. the other 10% from the borders. some of our guardsmen come from foreign and commonwealth countries, and absolutely first and foremost welshness and being welsh is in the heart of the welsh guards.

guards, shoulder! officers! take post! _ guards, shoulder! officers! take post! quick march! guards! in opening order, left and

right! _ guards! in opening order, left and riaht! ., ,, a guards! in opening order, left and ritht! ., ., ." ., . right! left to right! quick march! the drums _ right! left to right! quick march! the drums with _ right! left to right! quick march! the drums with their _ right! left to right! quick march! the drums with their version i right! left to right! quick march! the drums with their version of l right! left to right! quick march! i the drums with their version of the famous tune as the band reforms, making way for the mounted troops to pass the saluting base. household cavalry, the king's troop royal horse artillery, the mounted band of the household division, all on their way.

halt! the major with the blues and halt! the ma'or with the blues and ro als. halt! the major with the blues and royals. directing _ halt! the major with the blues and royals. directing the _ halt! the major with the blues and royals. directing the band i halt! the major with the blues and royals. directing the band of i halt! the major with the blues and royals. directing the band of the l royals. directing the band of the household cavalry. he is director of music, and another look at apollo and juno, the drum horses carrying those solid silver kettle drums.

and as we enjoy the magnificence of it and sound of the king's troop royal horse artillery, riding onto the parade ground, i am delighted to welcome major vicky fraser, former commanding officer of the kings to come out with her expert knowledge of the parade and all the preparations that go towards it. lovely to have you with us, thank forjoining us. with all the long and patient wait for the king's troop, how does this moment feel? good morning. this moment, you're

trying _ good morning. this moment, you're trying to— good morning. this moment, you're trying to subdue your excitement but the commanding officers will be thinking — the commanding officers will be thinking about the pacing, speed, and also _ thinking about the pacing, speed, and also quickly running through the words _ and also quickly running through the words of— and also quickly running through the words of command. the soldiers will be trying _ words of command. the soldiers will be trying to— words of command. the soldiers will be trying to wake up their horses who would — be trying to wake up their horses who would have no doubt have nodded off in the _ who would have no doubt have nodded off in the time that they have been waiting _ off in the time that they have been waiting to — off in the time that they have been waiting to step off. all the while they are — waiting to step off. all the while they are thinking about their dressing _ they are thinking about their dressing and keeping a takes as they io dressing and keeping a takes as they go past _ dressing and keeping a takes as they go past his _ dressing and keeping a takes as they go past his majesty the king. the}r go past his ma'esty the king. they are as go past his ma'esty the king. they go past his majesty the king. they are as ever looking _ go past his majesty the king. tue are as ever looking extremely smart. looking very sharp.

important for us to underline once again, as major leads the king's troop, these historic gardens are the colour, are they not, and that is the significance of the guns in this march past and this drive past. they really are, the guns are extremely special, these guns date back from _ extremely special, these guns date back from world war i where they were _ back from world war i where they were salvaged, uninsurable but they have no— were salvaged, uninsurable but they have no brakes, so the horses that you see _ have no brakes, so the horses that you see pulling them, the closest to the guns _ you see pulling them, the closest to the guns have big bottoms, so they used for— the guns have big bottoms, so they used for slowing down the guns and for stopping them. the greatest of care is— for stopping them. the greatest of care is taken over them to get them not only— care is taken over them to get them not only in— care is taken over them to get them not only in working order but to keep— not only in working order but to keep them looking absolutely pristine. keep them looking absolutely -ristine. , keep them looking absolutely ristine. , .,

the blues and royal slow march. household cavalry taking part now. two regiments of the house of cavalry mounted regiment, the blues and royals. colonel, princess royal, is on parade today on the left. as is on parade today on the left. as is the colonel of the guards.

interesting to see lots of people ask us every year by the uniforms and the gold braid and what it denotes. , ., , ., ., ., , denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful— denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful lot _ denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful lot of _ denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful lot of gold _ denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful lot of gold but i denotes. yes, the household cavalry were an awful lot of gold but it i were an awful lot of gold but it does have historic significance. the higher up the ranks, the more responsibility you hold, so for example today there is the divisional commander, she would have the responsibility of 24 horses. in times gone past that would mean she would have to tie up 24 horses, whereas a safe commander would have only four horses under his responsibility, so therefore we only have to have enough rope for four horses. —— therefore would only have. horses. -- therefore would only have. ., , have. the definitive answer there from vicky. _ have. the definitive answer there from vicky. so — have. the definitive answer there from vicky, so that _ have. the definitive answer there from vicky, so that all _ have. the definitive answer there from vicky, so that all the i from vicky, so that all the questions you put in over the years have been finally answered to perfection. the farriers with their glinting axis. —— glinting acts two.

the field officers trumpeter, lance corporal charles clarke, traditionally riding next to the commanding officer, always on a grey horse. we see charles coming around,

grey horse. this house has been with the household cavalry since 2013. —— this horse. so the king's troop once again in common position, and a word about fran sykes, she succeeded you as commanding officer and she will be leaving very soon.— be leaving very soon. yes, this is her last parade _ be leaving very soon. yes, this is her last parade in _ be leaving very soon. yes, this is her last parade in command i be leaving very soon. yes, this is her last parade in command so i be leaving very soon. yes, this is her last parade in command so a| be leaving very soon. yes, this is i her last parade in command so a very poignant moment for her. she and i go way back, i should say we went poignant moment for her. she and i go way back, i should say we went through training together. you through training together. you go way back, i should say we went through training together.- through training together. you are watchin: through training together. you are watching bbc _ go way back, i should say we went through training together.- through training together. you are watchin: through training together. you are watching bbc _ through training together. you are watching bbc news, _ through training together. you are watching bbc news, king i through training together. you are through training together. you are watching bbc news, _ through training together. you are watching bbc news, king i through training together. you are watching bbc news, king charlesl watching bbc news, king charlesl watching bbc news, king charles iii's first trooping the colour watching bbc news, king charles iii's first trooping the colour ceremony. it is the first time the ceremony. it is the first time the monarch has ridden on horseback at monarch has ridden on horseback at the event in 30 years. stay with us the event in 30 years. stay with and for more coverage on bbc news, and

on bbc one she and i for more coverage on bbc news, and on bbc one the rest of the days news. live from london. this is bbc news. at least 40 students killed and many feared abducted as militants linked to the islamic state group attack a school in uganda. questions mount over whether greek authorities could've done more to prevent a deadly migrant boat disaster. president putin says he's moved some of russia's nuclear weapons to neighbouring belarus.