Wilfred rocks the Royals

Hello!  It's me, Wilfred!  And you know what?  I only have THREE more weeks left of living in London with my two dads, before we go back home to Canada!

These six months, the Queen has been very busy.  She had the wedding and her first trip to Ireland, then the Obamas came for a sleepover, and THEN, this past weekend, she had two big parties - the Duke of Edinburgh's birthday and her own official one. 


On Friday, we could hear bells chiming in Queen Victoria's tower like they do for royal birthdays even in our classroom at Ravenstone.   It was for the Duke turning 90!


For his birthday, they gave a cannon salute to the Duke in Hyde Park.  Dad didn't go, he said it was too rainy, but a little POURING RAIN and THUNDER couldn't stop my Poppy -- he headed over with his camera and umbrella.  It's not every day the Duke turns 90!


The Horse Guard came pounding across Hyde Park pulling CANNONS!  They put them in place, and FIRE!!  Then, they gathered them up and pounded away again. 

But the really big party was on Saturday, when all London celebrated the Queen's 85th birthday by trooping the colour.  Trooping the colour happens every June to celebrate the official birthday of the sovereign.  The Queen is the official commander of a lot of regiments and on this day they put on their dress uniforms and present themselves, including her Household Guards and Horse Guards, and they salute her.  There is also a big parade that goes from the palace to the parade ground and then back again.  Then, the royal family comes out on the balcony and watches an honourary fly-over by the Royal Air Force, and then they wave and go have lunch.


Poppy lost out on getting tickets to the actual ceremony, because they sold out FAST, so he made sure that he and I got there good and early for the parade down the Mall (Dad didn't go... he said it was too sunny).  The crowd was already gathering -- not as big as the wedding crowd -- but still big.   A nice lady had been saving a spot for a friend, but when she saw me trying to see, she said that her friend was stuck at Waterloo Station and wouldn't make it now -- would I like to come up with her in the front row?  WOULD I!?!  And so would Poppy!


Soon, the action started.

First, there were bands.   One of the bands brought their royal dog, the royal wolfhound. Then, there were cars going by with important royal people, and then there was a bus going by with not so important royal people...  And then there were the Guards!  Lots and lots of them!

And then the most exciting thing happened.  A carriage came by with Prince Andrew and Prince Harry and Camilla and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.  And you will never, ever, EVER guess what happened next...

Kate looked right at me in the front row and SHE WAVED AT ME!!!  Can you EVEN BELIEVE IT!!  I waved back like crazy!



Have you ever seen a band on horseback?

Poor old drum horse...

And then, suddenly, there she was!   God save the Queen!!  God save THE QUEEN!



I think she heard me.

And then there were even more Guards.... and Horse Guards...

And then, it was done... for a while - well, for us anyway.  While the ceremony was going on at the parade grounds, Poppy and I ran over to Piccadilly Circus to grab a quick bite to eat at Cafe Nero.   On our way back, we stopped in front of St.James Palace (where Prince Charles has his office) and Poppy took my picture.

Then, we quickly got into our places along the Mall.  They were coming back!



Your Majesty!  It's me!  Wilfred!  From Canada!

Do you think she heard me?

Behind the Queen rode Prince William, Prince Charles, the Duke of Kent and Princess Anne

Once the parade was past, the pooper scoopers came through and then the barricades were pushed aside so the people could follow the Queen down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.  What a crowd!


We gathered around Queen Victoria's mounment.  Poppy and I had a good place, standing on the railing.  We waited a little while and then suddenly, a HUGE CHEER went up.  The whole crowd roared and everyone waved and took pictures.  It was Her Majesty and the Duke! God save the Queen!!

And then more roars, as the rest of the family came out and stood beside them.

 

They waved at us and we waved at them. 

And then, the fly-over started.  First, there were helicopters, then war planes -- old fashioned ones came first... big propeller ones from World War II...

Then came the jets...

And finally came, the Red Arrows.  Their smoke trail made the colours of the Union Jack.

FFFFFAAAWWWWWOOOOSSSHHHH!!!!!





Everyone cheered and clapped.  And the party was over.

This is me at the Queen's Horse Guards

Well, that is all I have to say for this week.  Only two more posts to go, so please check back next week for more of my great London adventure! 


Talk to you then, 
Wilfie