Flying the flag

‘It’s not all about the national flag. Last July, flags of 50 historic counties were flown in Parliament Square’

FLAGS are big business in the United Kingdom—on a good day, it’s possible to see as many as 15 flying in the vicinity of Horse Guards Parade. In this part of London, flags mean a lot. In June, The Queen’s Birthday Parade, otherwise known as Trooping the Colour, is a whole ceremony dedicated to one. Each year, a regiment from the Foot Guards troops its colour—a large, heavy banner—through the Guards and past The Queen. The key soldier on Horse Guards Parade that day is the Colour Ensign.

Last year, the honour fell to 2nd Lt Robin Mackworth-Young of the Grenadier Guards,