Uniformity in uniforms

The first to appear: The mascot of the Irish Guards, an Irish Wolfshound, the world's largest breed of dog, and his keeper

It's the Queen's birthday today. Not the real one - that's 21 April - but the official one. It has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely. Time for Trooping the Colour, a huge parade in front of the Horse Guards Building.

The regiments take their turn for this honour in rotation. This year, the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, were parading.

I was stunned by the precision in which the guards marched and rode along The Mall. Every movement was syncronised, even that of the horses. However, some of the horses seemed to be quite nervous. Everything was very punctual although before the master of the ceremony could begin, a policewoman collapsed directly in front of me. She was revived and moved off for treatment.

In the Royal carriages I spottet Prince William and Camilla, Prince Andrew with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and - of course - the Queen and Prince Phillip (pictured above). Directly behind the Queen's carriage were Princess Anne and Prince Charles on horseback, but I failed to spot them.

The Queen didn't seem to be in a very good mood when she passed the spectators along The Mall. However, this was my chance to take some pictures of her.

The parade itself wasn't less precise. I had the chance to peek though the trees onto the parading space of the Horse Guards Building. Tickets were available only for those who'd applied for them in a ballot in March.

Breathtaking was the fly-over of the Royal Air Force (RAF). We all stood on The Mall when 29 aircrafts flew over our heads in very tight formations. Wonder how they did it. The last nine airplanes painted the colours of the Union Jack into the sky.

I went to a pub afterwards, strolled through St James's, had my favourite Custard Nata Tarte at Patisserie Valerie and went to see the West End musical Chicago, where I experienced the same precision I'd seen during the day.