Trooping the Colour 2011: The Queen’s Birthday Parade

The ceremony to celebrate the sovereign's official birthday is probably the most spectacular of London's annual traditions. Tickets for the seating in Horse Guards are allocated by ballot at the start of the year. Spectators can watch along the route down the Mall and at the end of Green Park (arrive early if you want to be far enough forward to get a decent view). A fly-past takes place at 1pm.