Parade marks Queen Elizabeth II's birthday

LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II is
celebrating her birthday with
traditional pomp and
circumstance — but without
her husband by her side.
Prince Philip remains in the
hospital, recovering from
exploratory abdominal surgery.
The queen invited her cousin,
the Duke of Kent, to accompany
her in a vintage carriage. Other
royals — including Prince Harry
and the Duchess of Cambridge
— joined in the celebration
Saturday.
More than 1,000 soldiers, horses
and musicians are taking part in
the parade known as "Trooping
the Color," an annual ceremony
marking the queen's official
birthday.
The monarch's actual birthday
was on April 21, when she
turned 87.
The ceremony originates from
traditional battle preparations,
when "colors," which refer to
military flags, were carried down
the rank to be seen by soldiers.