The Army in London - HQ London District

Today we delivered the Major General's Review - the first of two major public ticketed ceremonial rehearsals for the sovereign's official birthday parade (Trooping the Colour), and the moment the Household Division is declared fit for ceremonial duties. It is virtually identical to the main King's Birthday Parade which will take place on 13 June, but this rehearsal has fewer mounted officers and no street-lining. Troops are inspected by the Major General Commanding the Household Division, Major General James Bowder, to ensure drill, discipline, and presentation meet the required royal standards. Today, just before the inspection, in remembrance of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery gunner, Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan who was killed at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, a minute’s silence was observed and musicians from the Bands of the Household Division played the Last Post and Reveille.

There are still some tickets remaining for next week’s Colonel’s Review. Get them quick. This is a spectacle you won’t want to miss!

Www.KBP.army.mod.uk

The Brigade Major’s Review is the first major dress rehearsal for Trooping the Colour (the King’s Birthday Parade). Taking place this morning at Horse Guards Parade in London, it featured roughly 1,000 soldiers and 200 horses from the Household Division and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Specially invited guests filled a portion of the stands to gently accustom the horses to the noises and movements of crowds during the precise ceremonial.

The event allowed the Brigade Major to inspect the troops, ensuring all timings, precision, and standards were met before the formal, ticketed public reviews begin. It was the first time the major components of the parade were brought together and was the "acid test" for the soldiers and horses before further evaluations. It will be followed over the next ten days by two larger, official public rehearsals:
- The Major General’s Review this Saturday
- The Colonel’s Review on June 6th

Today, as a mark of respect to their comrade Lance Bombardier Sullivan who was killed in an incident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the officers of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery wore black mourning bands on parade.

A minute’s silence will be observed during the first public review this Saturday.

It’s not too late to join us for the Reviews. Catch the final tickets at:
https://kbp.army.mod.uk/majorgeneralsreview/

'Looking for an exciting way to round off Half Term? Why not inspire your children this weekend by bringing them to the first rehearsal of this year's Trooping the Colour? Iconic red tunics, bearskins, and hundreds of horses are sure to delight. Get your tickets now at

The Major General's Review | Trooping The Colour Join The Major General as he reviews The Kings Birthday Parade. Inspected this year by Major General James Bowder OBE, Commanding the Household Division.

The final few tickets remain for this year's Trooping the Colour Review parades. This is your chance to see these exclusive events before the King's Birthday Parade is broadcast across the world.
The King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards Troop their Colour this year in what promises to be a spectacular performance of military excellence, musical prowess and national pride. They will be supported by 5 other parading companies as well as The Household Cavalry and The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Tickets are available now. Don’t miss it!

https://kbp.army.mod.uk/

Did you know!?

We've been conducting a major military warfighting exercise in the heart of London this week - and no one above ground suspected a thing…

Hundreds of soldiers have been demonstrating how they would run a NATO command post, managing a major international conflict, all while hidden deep beneath one of the busiest cities on earth.

As the exercise's message makes clear, deterrence is not passive. It has to be demonstrated, exercised, and believed by allies and adversaries alike.

When the soldiers finish and head back up to the surface, no one will ever know they were there. But the message they've sent will have been heard loud and clear.

Read all about it here ⬇️ https://www.army.mod.uk/news/deep-underground-inside-the-armys-secret-exercise-beneath-london/

What a memorably British day! All four seasons weather wise: hail stones, dust storms, torrential rain, blisteringly hot sun, thunder and lightning, freezing gales… we had them all, but nothing could stop the armed forces from delivering a spectacular ceremonial State Opening of Parliament!

Nearly 1,200 soldiers, sailors and airmen – plus almost 200 horses – filled the streets of London for one of the most impressive events in the British calendar.

Read all about it here: https://www.army.mod.uk/news/armed-forces-take-centre-stage-at-state-opening-of-parliament/

Early Morning Rehearsals for the State Opening of Parliament saw all three services of the Armed Forces come together to ensure their role in the pomp and ceremony that formed part of the State Opening of Parliament was perfect. In total, nearly 1,200 members of the Armed Forces and almost 200 horses were on the streets of Westminster in the early hours in a variety of ceremonial roles in support of the significant occasion.

Elements of the British Army’s Household Division, alongside personnel from across the Armed Forces, lined the streets, performed music and fanfares, and es**rted the carriage procession that will contain His Majesty King Charles III from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords on the event itself.

On Sunday 10th May, thousands gathered in Hyde Park to honour the cavalry soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War and in every conflict since.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh took the salute at the 102nd Parade and Service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association — a tradition that has brought together serving soldiers, veterans, families and communities for over a century.
The Bands of the Household Cavalry and The Royal Yeomanry led marching detachments past the Cavalry Memorial — a statue cast from guns captured by the Cavalry in World War One. Veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts marched alongside cadets who had travelled from Worcester, Haverfordwest, Leicester and London to take part.
Representatives joined from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and South Africa — a reminder that the sacrifice being remembered that day was shared across nations.
Trooper Drylie of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards played 'Flowers of the Forest' after the Last Post. The Military Wives Choir provided the music for the open-air service that followed.
Some of those who marched were teenagers, taking part for the first time. Some were veterans attending for decades. All of them were there for the same reason — to make sure those who fell are never forgotten.
🎺 Lest we forget.

Britain's Most Spectacular Soldiers Faced Their Toughest Test Today

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment had to prove they were ready for a season of royal
pageantry — and there was no room for failure.

Every year, the soldiers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment face one of the most
demanding tests in the British Army. Today 170 horse riders and their mounts rode out from their barracks in Knightsbridge to Horse Guards Parade in central London — where they proved they were ready to represent the King. The man watching their every move was Major General James Bowder, the officer in charge of all military ceremonies in London.

A Test 300 Years in the Making
The Household Cavalry has protected the Sovereign for more than 300 years. Their soldiers es**rt His Majesty the King on State occasions, stand guard at royal palaces, and line the routes at some of the most famous ceremonies in the world. That proud history means nothing if standards slip. That's why this annual inspection matters so much.

Lieutenant Colonel Ben McNeill, the Regiment's Commanding Officer, put it plainly:
'It is a great honour to carry out these duties and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment have worked tirelessly to ensure they are able to meet the high standard required.'

The Major General's Inspection
The Major General arrived on horseback and rode through the ranks of the Regiment, formed up on Horse Guards Parade looking closely at every single trooper and horse. Nothing escaped his eye — from the shine on a cuirass, to the posture of a rider.

Then the Regiment marched past him in walk and trot, with the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry playing alongside two magnificent Drum Horses — the giant, specially trained horses that carry the regiment's kettledrums.

The Regiment also performed a Captain's Es**rt to show the full range of what they can do. The whole parade took place at Horse Guards Parade — the very same ground where they will
ride in the King's Birthday Parade on 13 June, when the Grenadier Guards will Troop their Colour before His Majesty.

Weeks of Preparation for a Few Minutes of Perfection
Getting ready for the inspection was no small task. Troopers spent weeks practising their riding, their drill and their turnout. Hours went into polishing swords, helmets and the famous gleaming breastplates. The horses had their own preparation too. These are working military animals that must be calm, controlled and immaculately presented — no matter how loud the music, how large the crowd or how grand the occasion.

The Stakes Are High
Passing this inspection, permits the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment to go on to take part in some of the most watched events on the planet — from Trooping the Colour to State Visits for foreign heads of state.

Failure to meet the standard, and there would be more work ahead before they could take their place at the King's side. For a regiment that sees itself as the nation's trusted guardians, failure was simply not an option.