Trooping the Colour 2022
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High Duke Nikolai III arrived a the night before at the palace. He had arrived with his wife Victoria . He wanted to make it a point to attend every year since he was now part reitzmag family and part Duchian. It was only right he honoured both families.On arrival he greeted King George by royal etiquette. He said "Your Majesty how are you? Hows the business in Reitzmag this week? " Victoria chatted to the wife saying "Shall we let the boys have their silly chit chat?" .
James meanwhile had arrived that night along with Yohanna , Amaziah , Mathias, Danya and Yohannas sons and daughters Uri,Jakob and Sara. They prepared Amaziah for the days ahead showing him what was expected. They also checked in by phone with Nikolai III , in fact Amaziah called while he was with King George , he tried not to answer but on the third ring answered saying to the King "Sorry , Amaziahs calling , you probably know of him , he's James kid who survived the two attacks, he likes to call me before big events for preparation and just to have a chat. He's sort of a son to me in a weird sense , I know that sounds silly but I love him like he's my own blood. He needs time to basically get to know an area before he visits properly or goes to the event."
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The King made preparations early in the night, this year's Trooping the Colour was to be the biggest and has a big difference from the past practiced event. At that time he also met Nikolai, whom which will also take part in the event. He decided Nikolai would join him in the parade for the troop honours, trailing behind him on a horse.
GR: "Ah yes Nikolai, well it's pretty much normal this week and our foreign relations remain strong with countries we are allied with like yours. Anyway, are you ready for tomorrow?"
Meanwhile, Katherine and Victoria left to have some tea at the Blue Room. By then, the Roscoes also arrived at the palace. James had been pretty close with the Royals, although Amaziah was more important having a near-family like relationship with the King's first son-in-law. The King, wearing the uniform he will wear the next day to make sure the suit fits, came out of the dressing room to greet the Roscoes who would be staying for the night at the nearby guesthouse within the Palace Complex.
GR: "Mr. Roscoe, I'm glad you have arrived. I hope you had a safe trip here."
A bit of some chatter happened among the three before eventually Nikolai went to Amaziah to check on him.
At the gates, a convoy pulls over with the Royal Standard over a car and a Personal Standard of a Monarch with the initials WR VI. It was the King Emeritus, who would be joining the celebrations for the first time since his abdication in 2015. William entered the Grand Staircase and immediately went for the Royal Apartments, excited to see his son again. The Queen Mother, Pauline, also came to give Victoria and Katherine some company.
Hugs and kisses were shared between the family reunited again due to William's retirement at Sandringham due to health problems that he had already recovered from. George of course introduced his parents to the Roscoes, and to Nikolai who was now part of the family.
Eventually the night ended with a simple dinner, enjoyed by everyone in the palace.
The day eventually arrived, early on George had been preparing his well-ironed clothes, polished medals and decorations, and neatly fixed hair and shined shoes. He went out to take the car convoy to the Hampton Olympic Stadium where he is joined by King Emeritus William VI and Nikolai, who was awarded an honorary Air Chief Marshal Rank as part of his integration to the Royal Family. There they stay at a small holding room where they prepare along with their horses for the parade. Duchess Consort and Princess Royal Victoria, Queen Katherine, and Queen Mother Pauline, who all were in the same car just behind the 3 men's vehicle, proceeded to the Royal Box of the stadium at their arrival. The younger Royals, along with James Mizrachi-Roscoe, were on the third car and proceeded to the Royal Box. The rest of the Roscoe Family, on the next trailing cars, proceeded to the VIP Box adjacent to the Royal Box. The entire convoy was heavily guarded with police and military escorts in the air and on the ground.
Troops began to prepare just outside the stadium for their entrance parade, while the vehicles and other military equipment remain outside waiting for their turn. Of course, all troops participating that are on the ground, including foreign contingents are in their ceremonial uniform giving a very colorful and pomp display. Those handling military equipment on the other hand were on battledress for ease of movement, and matching clothing to the equipment's camouflage paintschemes.
The entire stadium was filled, with around 70,000 spectators ready to see what's new in the celebrations. It was the first time the event was to take place outside the palace, and to showcase larger military equipment. Overall, it would be the largest ever held. The military explained that the changes to the location were done while repairs and renovations were being made to Horse Guards Parade Grounds at the Palace Complex, something which is expected to be complete next year due to the extensive repairs and upgrades being made. Although they assured there were not much changes to the famous appearance of the area during the event's celebrations.
The 3 men chattered for a bit inside the holding room before the event formally begins.
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A public announcement rang, the show was about the begin. The audience all sat down in silence, waiting patiently. But of course, the wait is finally over.
A series of troops, from the Royal Army, marches carrying poles bearing the company colour flags of various formations of the troops to serve as markers for their positions. Once everything is in place, a command is heard.
"Quick Time, March!"
The famous massed bands begin playing "March of the Orient" as the colour party begins to march and enter the stadium to which they follow.
One by one, guards from various regiments and formations enter the stadium. There were 6 regiments of foot of the Royal Army that entered, followed by 3 divisions of sailors from the Royal Navy including 1 regiment of the Royal Marines, 4 wings of the Royal Air Force, 2 regiments of the Royal Space Force, 2 Regiments of the Royal Reserve Forces, 3 flotillas of HM Coastguard, and 2 regiments of HM Federal Constabulary. There, they remain in lines facing the Royal Box.
The massed bands, who took center stage, then began to play some fanfare as the King, King Emeritus, and High Duke, enter the stadium on horse leading the Household Cavalry. Behind them came the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
As everyone takes their places, the band stops playing and the ceremony begins. First off, the inspection of the line. The King leads a convoy with the King Emeritus, High Duke, Field Marshal Renwalt, and Field Marshal Won, all on horse. The convoy then begin to go through the troops on slow march before then transitioning to quick march at the end as they return back to position.
With the monarch now back in his position, a command is heard.
"Troop!" shouted the Field Officer followed by 3 beats of the bass drum. Then the Senior Drum Major shouted "Forward then Counter, Slow, March!", to which the massed bands follow and march in slow time facing the Colour Party to the music of the Waltz from Les Huguenots. When they reach the end, the mass bands stop for a while. Then, the Senior Drum Major commands "Forward then Counter, Quick, March!", to which the mass bands follow and march again in quick time going back and forth until they reach the center on the second turn. During the first turn, the lone drummer separates from the mass bands and marches on his own to the left of the Escort for the Colour.
After the music, the lone drummer begins beating an 8 bar "Drummer's Call", signaling the start of the main ceremony. After which, the lone drummer marches back to the massed bands. Then the Field Officer shouts a command.
"Escort for the Colour, Slow Arms!"
"Remainder, Change Arms! Stadard Ease!"The Subaltern of the No. 1 Guard (Escort for the Colour), who took command from the Captain, shouts a command in preparation of marching.
"Escort for the Colour, in Close Order, Left Dress!"
An orderly then takes the pace stick from the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), and frees him to draw his sword. Then he marches to formation behind the No. 1 Guard.
"Escorts for the Colour will Advance, by their left, Quick March!"
The band begins to play the "March of the Grenadiers" and then begins to maneuver to the famous spinwheel while the No. 1 Guard marches quick before continuing to march left while the band finishes their spin. Then, the massed bands march to give way to the No. 1 Guard while the latter returns to a line formation facing the Colour Party. Then the Subaltern shouts "Forward!" signaling the No. 1 Guard to march towards the Colour Party to receive the Colour. As they stop, another command is given.
"Escort for the Colour, in Open Order, Right Dress!"
The massed bands turn around, then the Field Officer also signals a command.
"Guards, attention!"
"Change Arms!"
"Slope Arms!"The RSM then marches from the back of the line to the front to receive the Colour while the ensign follows at the right time. The RSM salutes the Colour with his sabre, marches forward, and receives the Colour. He then turns back, marches to the ensign who salutes the Colour and sheaths his sword. Then the RSM places the Colour to the Ensign's Colour Belt and the Ensign turns around to show the Colour being trooped. Then the Subaltern shouts a command.
"Escorts to the Colour, present Arms!"
The band begins playing the first six bars of the Royal Anthem, God Save the King to which all guards Salute.
"Escorts to the Colour, Slope Arms!"
The Ensign and RSM then return to their new positions and the Subaltern shouts another command.
"Escorts to the Colour, Change Arms!"
"Escorts to the Colour will advance, by the Center, Slow March!"The No. 1 Guard then begins to advance to the music of "Escort to the Colour" while the massed bands play and do the spin wheel again. Then, the massed bands continue to march to another side of the stadium while the No. 1 Guard troop the Colour across all the ranks until they reach back to their position.
"Escorts to the Colour, Change Arms!"
The Captain then returns to assume command of the No. 1 Guard from the Subaltern and gives an order.
"Escorts to the Colour, Present Arms!"
With the trooping over, the Field Officer takes command of all the formations.
"Guards, Slope Arms!"
"Officers, Take Post, Quick March!""Guards will retire, About Turn!"
"Guides, Steady!""At the halt, right form, Quick March!"
Then all formations turn to a marchpast formation getting ready to enter the oval area of the Stadium.
"Guards will advance, About Turn!"
"Guards will walk past in Slow and Quick Time, By the left, Slow March!"The massed bands begin playing and take position at the center of the Stadium clearing the way for the guards marching slow to the Oval. One by one, the troops march and turn to the Oval where they march past in slow.
For the slow march, only the 6 Regiments of the Household Division proceeded to march on the oval. The contingents from the other branches remain in the center waiting for the Quick March.
No. 1 Guard (Grenadier Guards) passes in front to the tune of "March from Scipio" with the Colour leading the group, which is flourished by the ensign. The monarch acknowledges the colour with a bow, while the guards continue to pass. The music then changes to the "March from Figaro" as the Coldstream Guards pass next, then followed by the Highland Guards marching to the tune of "The Highlanders' Waltz". Then came the Lancastrian Guards who march to the tune of "The Men of the Red Rose" and the Moreland Guards who march to the tune of "Eastern Glory". After which, the troops continue to march slowly to the back.
As the Army units march, the foreign contingents from the United Principalities of Ineland, the United Duchies, and the Federal Republic of Yosai enter the stadium and proceed to the center lawn to join in waiting for the Quick March.
As the army units go on the other side of the oval, the Field Officer approaches the king and salutes as a signal of the end of the Slow March. Then he rides back to the troops and signals the command.
"Into Quick Time, Quick March!"
The music then changes to "Rythm of the Line" a neutral quick march played while the units travel from the other side of the oval to the front of the monarch.
One by one the Army units begin to approach the monarch again, this time the other units also follow suit up until the foreign contingents.
The Grenadier Guards are first, with the Colour now behind under their protection, marching to the tune of "March of the Grenadiers". Then, the Coldstream Guards arrive to the tune of "The Millenium". Next came the Highland Guards to the tune of "Highland Laddie", followed by the Lancastrian Guards to the tune of "Lancaster's Blood". Last from the Army came the Moreland Guards who marched to the tune of "The Rising Sun".
After the Army came the Navy who marched to the tune of "Heart of Oak", then came the Royal Marines who marched to "A Life on the Ocean Wave".
Behind them were the Air Force who marched to "The Marchpast of the RAF", followed by the Royal Space Force who marched to "Glory of the Empire".
Last of the foot contingents from the Armed Forces came the Royal Reserve Forces, composed of personnel from the Reserve Air Corps and Reserve Naval Corps marching to the tune of "겨레여 영원하여라".
The Coastguard then trailed next to the tune of "전선의 초병".
Finally, the Federal Constabulary march to the tune of "Colonel Bogey".
The Foreign Contingents then follow suit with the contingents from the United Principalities of Ineland marching to the tune of "Grenadiersmars".
Behind them came the foreign contingents from the United Duchies marching to "The Great Ducal March".
And finally, the contingents from the Federal Republic of Yosai march to the tune of "Battotai".
With the foot guards now done on their march past, proceeding back to their positions at the center lawn, the Field Officer approaches the monarch once more and gives a salute to signal the end of the foot guards' march-past. He then goes back to face the guards once more for further commands.
"Shoulder Arms!"
"Officers take post, Quick March!"
"In Open Order, Left and Right Dress!"The Senior Drum Major then makes a command to move the band to give way to the Mounted Band.
"Massed Bands, Drums and Pipes, One way to the Right, Right Turn!"
"By the left, Quick March!"As the Massed Bands complete their march, the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry take to the center led by the Director of Music of the Household Cavalry and two Drum Horses. They enter the Stadium and stay just beside the Massed Bands to the tune of "Preobajensky".
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery then follows suit entering the Oval and proceeding to parade their guns in front of the king. The band begins to play "Royal Artillery Slow March" as they Walk-march. The King then salutes the lead gun as a sign of respect as it passes in front of him.
Then comes the King's Life Guards with their beautiful scarlet jacket and white plume, marching past the king to the tune of "Life Guards Slow March". They lower the King's Cavalry Standard to which the King salutes to as it passes.
Then comes the Blues and Royals on the dark blue jacket and red plume, marching past to "Blues and Royals Slow March".
Then as the mounted troops reach the other side of the oval, the Field Officer's Trumpeter plays "The Trot" signaling the start of the Trot-past. The band now switches to play "The Keel Row" while the horses speed up with the Field Officer's Trumpeter dashing through the ranks to catch up with the Commanding Officer at the front of the formations.
The horses then exit the stadium, followed by the Mounted Band which salutes as they proceed to the exit.
Then, the Royal Salute begins with the Field Officer shouting a command.
"Royal Salute, Present Arms!"
The Colour is then lowered to the ground by the Ensign while the Royal Anthem "God Save the King" is played.
"Slope Arms!"
"In Close Order, Left and Right Dress!"
"Stand at Ease!"The Field Officer turns back to the King again to give a salute to signal the entry of the Modern Military Equipment. The King, the King Emeritus, the High Duke, and the Royal and non-Royal Colonels of the various branches dismount from their horses and proceed to a Saluting Stage setup behind them.
From the outside, military vehicles begin to drive into the Stadium's Oval led by a Tiger Military Jeep. The band begins playing "My Boy Willie"
The lead vehicles is then followed by 2 Contender IFV-11 and 3Competitor IFV-10 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
Behind the IFVs are 3 Gnome T-2 Amphibious Light Tanks, and 2 Challenger MBT-10 and 2 Gladiator MBT-9 Main Battle Tanks.
Then comes the Armoured Personnel Carriers composed of 2 Lion APC-13 and Elephant APC-11.
Entering next are 2 Meteor RA-12 and 5 Comet RA-11 Rocket Launchers to the tune of "Voice of the Guns".
Entering behind are 2 Cardinal PH-8 Self-propelled Howitzers flanked by 4 Slingshot TH-15 Towed Howitzers being pulled by military trucks.
Following them are 2 Circus MC-5 Mortar Carriers.
Then come 2 Vulcan SAM-19 Surface to Air Missile Systems and 5 Uranium SAM-15 Air Defence Systems.
And finally, comes 2 Orion LV-6 Transporter Erector Launchers and a Purgatory BM-33 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Launcher that drive to the sound of "Beyond Infinity".
After the vehicles exit the stadium, all eyes were set to the skies as the Massed Bands begin playing "Victory in the Caspian Skies".
There, arrives 3 Merlin HC.5 Transport Helicopters of the Army Air Corps leading the flypasts.
They are then followed by 5 Viper AH.3 and
3 Alligator AH.2 Attack Helicopters flying in Double Arrow Formation.And finally, 3 Vortex HU.14 Utility Helicopters finish off the Helicopter Flypast.
Then the Massed Bands change the music to "The Dambusters March".
Then, a loud roar from the distance is heard as 4 Felon F.15 Air Superiority Fighter Jets from the No. 1 Squadron RAF kick off the Fixed Wing Flypast.
A flight of 2 Lightning FA.7 and a Victory FA.8 Multirole Fighter jets from the 1st Wing RAF then follow suit in a beautiful formation.
Trailing behind are 4 Hurricane S.3 Fighter-Bombers or Strike Aircraft from the No. 13 Squadron RAF.
2 very distinguishable Pirate GA.3 Ground Attack Aircraft from the No. 85 Squadron RAF then follow behind.
Coming next is a Valiant L.16E Airborne Warning and Control System and a Dauntless L.17P Multi-role Reconnaissance Aircraft.
Then comes a pair of Atlas C.17 and a lone Hercules C.12 Transport Aircraft.
Coming behind is a Valiant L.16K Aerial Refuelling Aircraft from the No. 206 Squadron RAF being escorted by a par of Falcon F.13E Electronic Warfare Aircraft of the No. 259 Squadron RAF
And for the last of the extra large aircraft, a Swan B.10 of the No. 293 Squadron RAF.
And for the trainer aircrafts come 5 Omega T.10 Advanced Trainer Aircraft and a pair of Vulture T.15 Intermediate Trainer Aircraft.
The show was not yet over with 5 Inelandic CRV-17 Nord Griffon Multi-role Fighter Jets coming in.
Then comes the United Duchies' Blue Angels Aerial Demonstration Team composed of FA-4 Multi-role Fighter jets flying in very close formations.
And lastly for the foreign contingents are 5 Yosainese S-4 Raptor Air Superiority Aircraft.
And to conclude the flypast are the famous Red Arrows on their K-4 Hawk Advance Trainer and Aerobatic Aircraft designed and produced in Yosai.
After which, the Massed Bands stop playing and the King and his entourage come down from the stage and mount on their horses again. The group then takes one more inspection of the lines before heading back to position. The Field Officer then approaches the monarch for another salute, a ceremonial way of asking for permission to dismiss. The king then nods and the Field Officer recognizes the order and turns back to the guards.
"Guards, attention!"
"Shoulder Arms!""Guards will retire, About Face!"
"At the halt, by divisions, Right Form! Quick March!""Divisions will Advance, About Turn!"
"Guards on the Escort form Close Column, Remainder by the Left, Quick March!"As the troops march in preparation of exiting the stadium, the orderly then marches behind the Regimental Sergeant Major who then receives the pace stick after sheathing his sabre.
"Slope Arms!"
"To your duties, by the left, Quick March!"The massed bands then begins to play "March of the Orient". They then turn around while the guards one by one march to formation behind the king. The band then marches off in front of the king and his entourage still playing the music.
The Royal Family with the Roscoe Family then proceed to their cars and go back to Buckingham Palace before the Marching Off Parade begins. Back in the stadium, George, William, Nikolai, and the officers on horse lead more than 20 formations of the Armed Forces, Foreign Contingents, and Public Service Forces on a march to Buckingham Palace.
Upon arrival, the Royal Horse Artillery that already went straight to Green Park in preparation for the 62-gun salute fire their guns. The celebration ends with an appearance by the Royal Family and the Roscoes at the balcony waving to the crowds. The national anthem is then played and the event formally ends.