Queen’s Birthday

Last week the Queen’s Birthday was celebrated and like the UK, Gibraltar marks the occasion with a parade in Casemates Square.

I have always attended the as I was growing up in Gibraltar, many times as a spectator but in recent years I have been taking part in it with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Band. Since this parade is the biggest one we do during the year, rehearsals start about a month before it, even though the format is more or less the same every year.

The parade itself is always well attended by locals and tourists alike, also from a large number of VIP guests; last year was a special one as HRH Prince Edward was in attendance as part of his short visit to Gibraltar.

This year I managed to get my mum, dad and Nadia invitations to the VIP section and also to the Garden Party after the parade - more on that a bit later.

Last week the temperature in Gibraltar went up quite drastically and on the day of the parade it did go up to 30 degrees Celsius, which was going to make the parade quite a hot affair. I was with the band in one of the side streets close to Casemates just waiting to start, and also drinking plenty of water so I would pass out on parade.

The call to form up was heard and it was followed shortly by the order to march off into Casemates. The band was leading the parade being followed by the troops of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Once there, we awaited the arrival of the Governor of Gibraltar. After his arrival, he is given the keys to the fortress. As the parade is nearing the end a 21 gun salute is given in honour to the Queen on her birthday.     

  

As mentioned earlier, we also got invited to the Queen’s Birthday Garden Party which is hosted by the Governor of Gibraltar in his residence at the Convent. When you arrive you must leave your hat at the entrance and hope that no one leaves with it at the end by mistake, as all the military hats are all the same. The garden at the convent is a beautiful setting for any party or award ceremony with its big lawn and neatly kept flower beds. To end the party in true military fashion, the band had a small parade for the guests before the governor retired from the party. It was all in all a very enjoyable evening which we will all remember.