The Queen arrives for military ceremony at Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday

The Queen put on a stylish display as she arrived to view a socially-distancing military ceremony in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday today. 

Her Majesty, 94, cut an elegant figure in a recycled turquoise coat and matching hat – in what was her first official royal engagement since lockdown began. 

The monarch, who completed her ensemble with a pair of black patent shoes and her trusty Launder bag, recycled the same outfit which she wore during her December 2019 speech to both Houses of Parliament. 

In line with Government advice, it was agreed that the Queen’s birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, would not go ahead in its traditional form.

Instead, a small, brief, military ceremony took place – and was conducted in accordance with strict social distancing guidelines.   

The ceremony was carried out by a detachment from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, whose Colour was due to be trooped this year at The Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards. 

The Welsh Guards are currently stationed at Windsor Castle, and have played a key role in the military response to the coronavirus pandemic over the past months. 

The proceedings took place in the presence of The Queen in the Quadrangle, where the Changing of the Guard is carried out when she is in official residence. 

Upon arrival, Her Majesty received a royal salute, which was followed by a set of military drills, and a musical performance by a Band of the Household Division. 

These drills included a Colour being paraded in front of the Guards. 

The ceremony concluded with a second royal salute, following which the Guards and Band exited the Quadrangle and the monarch departed. 

The event took place entirely within the confines of Windsor Castle, with no viewing positions for the public. 

Military travel to the Castle was private and in accordance with government advice, and members of the public were asked not to attend Windsor town centre or gather in the hope of seeing any of the ceremony, which was not visible from any external viewpoint. 

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, the ceremony will last around 20 minutes and broadcaster Huw Edwards will host a BBC One programme covering the event live. 

Major General Ghika, who commands the Household Division and all military support for London’s civil response to coronavirus, said: ‘The circumstances of the requirement to perform the birthday tribute at Windsor Castle this year are clouded in tragedy. 

‘The effects of Covid-19 have been devastating in terms of loss of life and the threatening of livelihoods of so many across the country.

‘People have had to endure separation from loved ones, great uncertainty and the suspension of so much of what is special about our national life.’

Servicemen from the Household Division – which includes the Welsh Guards – have been formed into a Covid Support Force, with the soldiers carrying out coronavirus tests at regional and mobile sites.

Maj Gen Ghika said: ‘The Welsh Guards and many of those on parade have recently been deployed within the United Kingdom as part of the nation’s response to the virus and so the context of the ceremony is particularly poignant.’ 

The non-commissioned officer continued: ‘With fewer people on parade there is no hiding place, there never is, and only the highest standard is acceptable.

‘But more spacing between individuals means that there is also no room for errors and so the soldier has to really concentrate on their own personal drill, reaction to orders, dressing and social distancing.’

One Guardsman has a starring role – Lance Corporal Chusa Siwale, 29, originally from Zambia, who will be the lone drummer for the ceremony delivering the Drummer’s Call to signal for the colour – or military flag – from the Welsh Guards to be trooped – or marched – through the ranks.

A soldier first, he is part of the Welsh Guards’ assault pioneer platoon and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 as a force protection commander.

He said: ‘It is a huge privilege for me to be undertaking this key role in the parade at what is a very difficult time for the UK.’

Normally Guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during their drills or when formed up on the parade ground, allowing them to maintain ‘dressing’ or staying in line with one another.

But in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, each soldier will be tasked with standing 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the Garrison Sergeant Major’s pace stick.

An event like this has not been staged at Windsor for the sovereign’s birthday since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of Queen Victoria.