Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Hyde Park, London

Marching to the royal beat. Trooping the Colour

Every June, London swaps its traffic noise for drumbeats, marching soldiers and horses trotting with clockwork precision. Trooping the Colour is the royal birthday parade where scarlet uniforms steal the spotlight and every polished boot seems to shine on cue.

The tradition began in the 17th century when regimental flags, called 'colours,' were carried or 'trooped' before soldiers so they could recognise them in battle. Today, it honours the British monarch's official birthday with a military display packed with history and pageantry. Held on Horse Guards Parade, the event features more than 1,400 soldiers, military bands and hundreds of horses moving in near-perfect sync. The monarch travels from Buckingham Palace in a grand procession while crowds gather to watch the ceremony unfold.

The celebration ends with the Royal Family appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the Royal Air Force flypast. It is Britain at full parade mode: tradition, teamwork and plenty of pomp and circumstance.