When, Where and How to see the Royal Family in London

If you're hoping to spot one or more members of Great Britain's Royal Family during your trip to London, your best bet for a glimpse is at one of the events we describe here.

What we are going to do for you hear is give you an idea of where to go and what to see when you are in London that will give you the best chance to get a glimpse of some of the illusive British Royal Family. The 3 royal events we are attempting to outline are the three we believe offer the best chance to see them.

These are events that they attend each year. These are not pay-for-entry or restricted to ticket holders or invitees (e.g. the Garden Parties). The Trooping of the Colour is in a lot more detail than the others, but that really reflects the level of interesting information there is on it.

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The Trooping of the Colour

Usually held on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Saturday in June. The British Sovereign's official birthday is marked by the magnificent ceremony known as the Trooping of the Colour, on the Horse Grounds Parade, off Whitehall. Although the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st, her second, or Official, birthday, takes place in the summer, simply to avoid bad weather. The Trooping has been a part of the British infantry since the 17th century, having first been performed during the reign of Charles II. Its reason then was pragmatic: the colours (flags) of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle; so, as to ensure each solider knew which one to look for during a conflict, the colours were paraded (or trooped) before its men every day. Today, the event is split into three major parts. The first commences when the Royals - the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent, and the Princess Royal - accompanied by their troops, depart Buckingham Palace at 10.30 am and proceed along the Mall to Horse Guards. The Trooping of the Colour parade, with its 1,000 soldiers, 300 musicians, and some 200 horses, then takes place. When it's completed, the entourage moves back to the Palace, where, at 1.00 pm, the Queen and Prince Philip appear on the balcony for an RAF flypast, which is accompanied by a gun salute from the Tower of London. Although tickets are needed for the Trooping of the Colour itself, onlookers can still see the royals during the Mall processions and during the flypast for free.

State Opening of Parliament

Usually held in October or November. This is the most colourful event in the Parliamentary calendar. A very symbolic observance, it sees the Queen open the new session of Parliament, thus incorporating the Crown into the governmental legislature. Being a long-standing tradition, it's the proprietor of a few whimsies. One of these is a custom that a hostage MP must be held at Buckingham Palace to ensure the monarch's safe return, a practice dating back to a time when both parties were on less genial terms. Spectators can see the Queen in her procession in a state coach from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. Her Royal Highness is usually accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh on this occasion.

State Visits

These royal events are held twice a year, dates vary. State Visits comprise formal visits of overseas Heads of State hosted by the Queen, usually at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Visits generally begin with a welcome parade, which, if the guest is staying at Buckingham Palace, takes place on Horse Guards Parade. Again, visitors can see the Queen (and the visiting president or monarch) in the ensuing procession from Horse Guards to the Palace from viewing points along the Mall.

For the precise dates of these and other one-off ceremonies attended by the royals, see the Official Ceremonial Calendar at http://www.royal.gov.uk/