Saturday, 29th May 2009, 10.00am
                        meeting time  9.15am

Horse Guards Parade
Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS

£3 per head

One of the great annual sights in London is the Queen’s Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall on Her Majesty’s Official Birthday. All available Foot Guards, Household Cavalry and King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery parade past Her Majesty starting at 11.00 am. The event lasts about 1 hour.

The Society has arranged tickets for 30 good seats for the dress rehearsal, held two weeks before the real parade on Saturday 12th June. Apply early!

The Household Division are the Footguards and Household Cavalry which make up the personal guard for The Queen; at the moment, they include Prince Harry. It is important to remember that these are also fighting troops; many of those on parade will be veterans of various campaigns including Afghanistan and Iraq. About 1,000 men in bearskins, tunics and full uniform will be on parade; there will be a Massed Band, a Mounted Band, and a large number of cavalry. The troops will be reviewed and then will march past twice. The Queen will not be present, but the Dress Rehearsal parade will be taken by the General in command of all Household Troops.

Members should be seated by 10am, but we are arranging to meet at 9.15am for coffee and a short talk (optional). This will cover the conduct of the parade, its history and tradition. Full details will be sent to those who book.

To reserve your place, please contact the Japan Society office on tel: 020 7828 6330 or email: events@japansociety.org.uk.