The form of this tremendously popular event dates back to around 1700. During these early days of land warfare, 'colours' (the brightly-coloured flags of a battalion) were used as rallying points so they would be visible above the smog and dust of battle. The Roman Eagle was used in a similar way, thrown forward in the fight, in the knowledge that the men would follow to save it. It became customary to carry these colours down the ranks at the end of a day's march and to solemnly accompany them to the 'billet' where they were kept for the night. The billet represented the headquarters of a unit and the battalion's assembly point in an emergency. The aim of the ceremony was to familiarise each man with the coloured flags that identified his unit, and to guarantee all ranks would recognise their assembly point, especially when stationed in an unfamiliar town. Each morning, the colours were escorted from the billet back to their position in the battalion ranks. Consequently, the colours came to express the spirit of the regiment and were held in the highest regard. In time the Regimental Colour has taken on a greater significance. Its folds of embroidered cloth are an important object of reverence and a memorial to lost comrades. First and foremost these men are full-time, professional serving soldiers, they are not just for show. They prepare for - and perform - ceremonial events such as this and the changing of the guard alongside their official duties serving in the armed forces. Many of whom have toured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The rifles being carried are the Enfield L85A2, part of the SA80 family of small arms, and are the standard issue rifle for the British Armed Forces. Worth noting that, whilst the soldiers of the guards regiments do carry out ceremonial duties, they are all active personnel and serve tours of duty in addition to their ceremonial duties guarding the Sovereign. The parade itself is the Queen's Birthday Parade (she's 96 now) and usually lasts a couple of hours from start to finish; this segment is the "Trooping of the Colour" where the specific regiment being honoured troops its Colour through the ranks of the Foot Guards on parade. This is also where the colloquial name for the event, "Trooping the Colour", comes from. It's conducted at Horse Guards Parade (the parade ground outside of Horse Guards, an historic British Army HQ in central London). The parade ground is gravel, as I assume it's easier on the horses - you saw the combined Mounted Guards behind the Foot Guards. Someone else may well know the full reasoning for the gravel surface better than I.

Those soldiers have fought in battles the Falklands, the two middle East wars, the 1st and 2nd world wars. The Queen was a driver in the 2nd world war before she became the Queen.

Your little brother is hilarious Joel ! As well as as guarding the palace, they are also ordinary soldiers who fight in wars. That's how it they get their medals.

Your brother is young, doesn’t understand the history, pride, and duty of the soldiers representing the Crown. He will in time as he grows. Fun video, keep ‘em coming

These soldiers are true fighters, they are not just there to entertain u s with their movements, they FIGHT!

I think that your reaction to your brother asking if the Queen was dead yet should definitely earn you an honorary citizenship lol

The "guys on horses " are The Household Cavalry and they are made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

They are not just guards of the Queen. They are also regular soldiers. Most of the men there would've served in Northern Ireland and some in Afghanistan or Iraq. The Scottish instruments are called bagpipes. The soldiers in the kilts are a mix of Scots and Irish Guards. Her majesty the Queen will be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee on the 3rd of June this year. On the 6th February of this year, it had been exactly 70 years since she ascended to the throne. She is 96 years old.

Your brother is priceless. It seems he has embraced the sardonic British sense of humour, just like your good self. 🇬🇧❤️😀🇺🇸

Are you aware that the Queen used to ride on horseback herself - and in uniform? The practice ended after she had blanks fired at her in 1981 - the entire event was captured by the television cameras if the two of you would like to react to that? She simply comforted her horse and carried on just as if nothing had happened - while the gunman was being apprehended in the background! Good idea, Ben - there are endless numbers of movies available about the Queen's life, and also her Coronation, which Joel should react to. Apart from anything else it will be interesting to compare it with the next one.

Medals in HM Armed Forces are usually for either going on an operational tour (afghanistan, iraq etc) or meritorious actions that deserve recognition. The US give medals/ribbons out a lot more freely, like for just completing a bit of training or achieving a certain score on the firing range, whereas in the UK we give things like special badges to go on uniforms for a good score on the range. But in general its a lot harder to get awards in the UK.

ItsJps as an Older Brother is something I didn’t know would be quite unintentionally entertaining.

Heyas Joel, don't forget you were that wriggling giggling boy not that many years ago and you turned out OK, so no worries.

The next Trooping the Colour is on Thursday 2nd June as part of the Queen's Jubilee weekend. The country has a four day long Bank holiday weekend and there will be various events happening. Many people will have street parties and there is a concert organised which I believe Brian May of Queen will play at.

The Queen is still very much alive. She is now 96. Needless to say she is slowing down. Buckingham Palace is the official residence but I think she spends more time at Windsor Castle. Bring Ben along more. Keep up the good work.

Joel, if you look closely at the feet of the soldier as he comes to abrupt stop 4:50 to 5:50 he actually slides forward a little. This is due to his Hobnailed Boots - also known as Ammunition Boots. which nailed soles and a "horseshoe" heel. They are very slippy when on a hard surface and in the wet are possitively dangerous.

There's going to be a lot going on over the next few weeks to celebrate Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.

You should watch an older Trouping the Colour when the Queen would take the salute riding side saddle in military dress.

Us British certainly know how to do pomp and ceremony love our forces some of the best in the world,the assault rifles are SA 80s.🇬🇧

my Uncle was in the Queens guard. My dad told me when I was little the bearskin hat needed to be trimmed every year because the fur kept growing. 😊

When you see the soldier bearing the flag, he is at that moment “trooping the color” which, in the midst of battle smoke and fire, was the call for soldiers to rally to the flag, line up by divisions and battalions. It was a way to reorganize the army in the midst of battle and prepare for the next command. Hence the term “rally round the flag.” But the authentic term is “Trooping the Color. “

The Queen has an amazing sense of humour - she would have found your brothers comment amusing - so dont be worried she finds out

I think it’s a quality shared between ItsJps and his brother to randomly burst out laughing 😂

I actually slapped my head when your brother asked if the Queen was dead. My sister was born 5 years after me...I feel your pain! lol

Medals in the British Armed Forces are awarded for service in specific campaigns or for acts of gallantry or bravery. The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is awarded for 15 years service with no major offences.

"Is she dead now"?? Hahaha, I laughed out loud Joel. You have to do more videos with Ben, he's hilarious

The knivres on the rifles are called bayonets. The "hats" are called brearskins (we hope they are synthetic thses days). The British King George allowed the Guards to wear them after the Battle of Waterloo where the Guards faced and beat the French Emperor Napoleon's Imperial Guard who were wearing bearskins.

The displaying of the colour to the troops is so that they can recognize it in battle. In the past when communication was very poor once the shooting began the colours were taken into action and served as a rallying point for the regiment to keep them cohesive and when things looked like going t,ts up the cry would be "rally to the colour" sometimes as a last stand. To lose the colour to the enemy was a huge disgrace and there are many stories of heroic efforts to keep them safe. Regiments have two colours, the Regimental colour and the Queen's colour. Cavalry regiments (now armour) have guidons, which are a different shape. Many former British Empire countries still have Regimental colours for ceremonial purposes. Forty or so years ago shortly after I was commissioned I was one of the colour ensigns when all of the colours and guidons of the NZ army were paraded together in Christchurch for the first and I think only time. Not on the same scale of the Guards but impressive in its own way. Our battle honours are very meaningful and remind us of those who have gone before.

OMG Joel, he is the image of you. His smile is exactly the same as yours. Oh and btw, it's Bagpipes Joel x

Trooping the colour is happening this Thursday for queen birthday and platinum Jubilee (70 years as queen) so it’s going too be absolutely massive with more than 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, 400 musicians and 70 aircraft fly past. I’m going there, I can’t wait I’m so excited.

Some medals are being on active service, i.e. fighting, some will commemorate the queen's jubilees and another for long service and good conduct. And of course bravery medals like the Victoria Cross.

Hi Joel Debra from South Wales UK here You can tell you are brothers as you are so alike, but I feel.your pain as I too have a younger sister who when we were your ages, she was so annoying, we did not get along too well, but now we are really close, as you Americans say "We are thicker than molasses", so I hope you two stay close for be rest of your lives. F.Y.I The Queen is currently 96 years young and we will be celebrating her Platinum Jubilee next weekend from Fiday, 3 June until Monday, 6 June, and we are having a 4 day public holiday or as we call it over here a 4 day Bank Holiday. A Platinum Jubilee is 70 years, so the queen has been reigning over us for 70 glorious years, and it will be one heck of a long, long, long time if ever the UK ever celebrates a Monarchs 70 years on the throne. So we are living through extraordinary times, it is a once in a millennium experience. The Queen ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952 upon the death of her father King George VI when she was 25 years old, and she was crowned at her coronation on 2 June 1953, when she was 26 years old. She celebrated her coronation in Westminster Abbey in London on 2 June 1953 and was crowned with the very grand Saint Edward's Crown (which was made for King Charles II in the mid 1600s upon the restoration of the monarchy after a civil war and around 10 years under Oliver Cromwell) whilst sitting on the St Edward's Chair. This was the first coronation to be televised and approximately 27 million watched it in the UK. The current Queen was the 39th monarch crowned in Westminster Abbey. You gain a medal by doing a heroic act during a war or battle or for comming through a war/battle unscathed. The most important medal is the Victoria Cross an to the awarded this ultra top honour a soldier would have to gone above and beyond bravery putting his own life in danger to have helped a fellow soldier.

So great to share with your little brother Probably what your brother was thinking of recently is the Queens husband passing away The Queen just turned 96

Ben should stay, he's so funny, without trying too hard. His facial expressions are perfect, so Monty Python. Now you have a mini-me 😂 😂

7:51 That’s Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. Ben DEFINITELY needs a refresher course on the Royal Family. Call me on your channel because I will teach you 😂

The reason of trooping the colour is an old ceremony whereby a battalion would fall in by companies and the colour-party would "troop" or march the colours through the ranks so that every man would see that the colours were intact. This was done before and after every battle.

There are a few good points here - first, during basic training every recruit in all British military branches - I'm ex-RAF - learns marching, it is part of British military discipline, for ceremonial occasions practice is required. Trooping the Colour tajes around 3 months preparatio . 2 any sensible experienced military person wears footwear a half size too big on big parades, this allows for foit flexing and toe wriggling - stops you fainting - and no-one in their right mind drinks anything for 2 hours before this! The big hats are called bearskins but are now made from artuficisl fur. The "Colours" are presented to each regiment and are an acknowledgement of their battle honours - including service in Afghanistan and Iraq - some go back to 1700 and earlier. Medals are won for active service, most recently in Afghanistan and Iraq - medals are NOT awarded in Britain for completing courses or qualifying in new skills - the only other medals are for long service - 20 plus years. Every single soldier , both men and women - they all wear the same uniform, - in Trooping the Colour is a serving soldier and almost all have seen active service. With the exception of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, all the members of the Royal Family have served in the Military - including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, as an 18 year old Princess she served during the end of WWII in the ATS, driving and maintaining a military ambulance. 😎

I give it another week before he bans the little bro from the basement 🤣🤣🤣

🤣 your interaction’s with your little bro are absolutely hilarious Jps, it’s cool not to take it too seriously, most people don’t, a few jokes and funny comments are totally enjoyable, great video! 👍🏼 maybe watch some Brit comedian or comedy with him, see if he laughs at us or with us, either way it’ll be hilarious! 😁

Hahahaha your little bro is frigging hilarious 😂😂😂😂. Need to do more videos with the wee guy. That was too funny. Love the “it’s not perfectly timed” hahaha.

I love the brotherly dynamic between you two, it reminds me of me and my older brother when I was your brother's age lol! And you two also look alike, it was a fun reaction video to watch! Would be fun to have him featured in future videos and introduce him to videos from the UK and other places in Europe too! :)

The big hats are called 'bearskins'. The knives on the end of their rifles are called bayonets. All these men are working soldiers and could be called upon to go into battle if needed, just like any other soldier. The medals are given for each military campaign in which they take part as soldiers.

Lovely to see your brother Ben. He look so much like you. My your mom has her hands full with 3 boys to keep in hand. Joel why don’t you show him carrot in the box have a good day 🇬🇧 PS the queen is 96

Your brother is so cute bless him, and he's honest lol. I would love to see more videos of you both together. I really enjoyed watching. Thank you both. 😊

Joel, your little brother is huge fun - reminds me of the character Corey Hain portrayed in the Lost Boys movie... And cool that he's receptive to, or at least curious about, your own Anglophilia. Stay cool Dude, and you and yours remain safe. :)

these brothers ars so fun..and I admire the interest they show in this amazing tradition...

Hilarious, love meeting your brother… very cool

The point of Trooping the Colour was to show the regimental banner to all the troops so that it would be recognised on the battle field.

All medals are awarded to every British soldier for taking part in any conflict of active service in war, they receive one long service medal for good and exemplary service after a minimum of 15 years

Your little brother is quite correct, if they need to go to the bathroom on duty, they wear thick tweeds for a reason. Some guards may put on an Incontinence diaper just in case.

The 'Colour' (not Colours) is the regimental banner (flag, pennant) and is unique to each regiment. From time to time a new one will be presented to a regiment, such as the centenary of the regiment or after a major battle, by the regiment's Colonel-In-Chief or the Monarch. Usually, a regiment's Colonel-In-Chief is a member of the Royal Family, appointed by The Queen (Monarch). Occasionally, The Queen will personally present a new Colour to a regiment, which is considered a great honour. The above information is applicable to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries of The Queen's realm.

Aw, he's fun. Definitely invite him again.

Your brother needs to react to more videos on British History.

1:42 That's British Grenadiers march. An Iconic march that goes back from 18th in the Seven Years War

That marching ground (Horse Guards Parade) is where the Beach Volleyball was played during the London Olympics 2012.

As brothers your so funny 🤣. I think you have turned Ben into star.

We all need a little more Ben in our lives... He seams like a handful but also a bundle of joy xD For sure bring him back :)

@ItsJps The entire parade lasts approximately 2 hours BUT the actual trooping of the colour is where the guards march the colours through the ranks which actually begins @ 08:50 in the video. By the way: The U.S has nothing like this. Medals? Bravery in combat in theatres of war. The Guards are *not* toy soldiers but combat-hardened troops of the Household Division. Household troops, better known as 'the Guards', have guarded the Sovereign since 1660. Queen Elizabeth II is their Colonel-in-Chief. Her Majesty also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. The troops on horseback are the Household Cavalry Divisions: Life Guards and the Blues and Royals who are the *only* members of the armed forces permitted to unsheath their swords in the physical presence of the monarch. The "knives" in the guns are bayonets. If you look carefully at the back of the Guard's uniform you'll see the bayonet sheath attached to their belt (left side). As a side note, the Guards wear a bearskin. The bands are performing the Spin Wheel; a British drill manoeuvre. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fd18kpV3uMXXf6s.html Your brother was correct; "where?", "what?". 😊 I'll just pass on your hat comment except to mention it's a warm (if not hot) Summer's day.

Good morning to you both. I'm so looking forward to next week, The Queens jubilee. Its over 5 days and I will watch all of it. Thank you jps this was lovely to watch. Kind regards from North London

Not coloor! Colour is our way of spelling color and is pronounced the same.

"Don't make me expose you" Funny stuff

When I was in the forces🇬🇧,. I was posted on a guard training camp.. sometimes as a punishment (or, "character building").. they would do a quick march, and various drill manoeuvres in QuickTime, in the rain. The guards wear Steel studded shoes that don't grip a concrete drill Square very well.. So basically, it was extremely amusing to watch a load of guards fall over.. 🤔 😁

For 'D1 and Duke' I had to disappear and translate American English to British English, now I understand.

This year's Trooping The Colour is on Thursday 2nd June. (Next week). If you get the time to watch the whole thing it's a lot more interesting. Also H.M The Queen is 96 years old. The Queen's Jubilee is also next week.

As a former 12 year old, 12 year olds don’t have shorter attention spans. They’re just restless and that’s fine.

Loved how you were offended on behalf of your audience when Ben thought the Queen was dead...and you had to tell him a second time "dude, she's not dead". 😅😅 I'm also 1 of 3 brothers (but I was the poor, neglected middle one haha) but I don't think I had your patience towards my younger brother. We spent our childhood tormenting each other. Would definitely be good to see more of Ben on your reaction videos....it was hilarious watching you being so enthusiastic about something British while he's obviously thinking 'wtf' 😁 Seriously bro (sorry...I'm catching your Americanisms), this was the funniest thing I've watched in ages Just don't go showing him any Jimmy Carr. Your mom would not be pleased!

I couldn't care less about Trooping the Colour, but I could watch you and Ben all morning! He is a natural man. This is siblings at their best, lmao! Yes, more of Ben on reactions please. What a star!

The Queen is 96 years old and next Thursday will be The platinum jubilee Trooping the colour. Love this reaction, funny lol. The hats the guards wear are Bear skins, they were stolen from the French when England beat them in battle.

When I was approximately Ben's age, my grandmother took me to see a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, "The Mikado," and I thought it was just about the funniest thing I had ever seen. If Ben is interested, there is a 1966 performance of "The Mikado" on KZfaq and it has an excellent British cast. The Mikado's song, which is in the Second Act, "A More Humane Mikado Never Did In Japan Exist," is really hilarious. (BTW, military medals are generally awarded for noteworthy achievements, such as battles or exemplary performance.)

Your brother had miss pissing myself laughing. My nephew is them same age and does the same. Medals are for tours of duty to different war zones. Also medal you get for years service to the service, Army, Navy and Air Force.

the headwear the are wearing are bearskin caps and are made from Canadian black bear , each cap weighs 1.5 pounds and they wear their chin strap under the bottom lip or under the nose because if in battle it was to be knocked off it would break their neck so they wear it there so it doesn't break their neck and will just fall off

Lovely to see you react with your brother .... loved his questions - you have a rival on the making to your KZfaq channel!! Love it ❤️

Heck yeah, keep your brother around if not for us … for you two.

On a very hot day it has been known for the odd one to pass out due to the heavy uniform and having to stand for so long. In the past the Queen used to always attend on horseback herself, as head of the armed forces, but now it would be a lot for her to sit sidesaddle for a long time - though she still rides at home, sitting normally - and now she sits for most of it, apart from when being saluted by the troops. The knife on the end of the rifle is called a bayonet. All these men are serving soldiers and win medals for bravery in action as a rule. These kinds of duties, including guarding the palaces are on top of normal military duties.

Hahaha you are mad if you thought for one minute a 13 year old world watch that and take it seriously, I have a 13 year old son so I just know lol, at least he settled down a bit towards the end, that was funny to watch tho. 😂

Try watching The Royal Navy's field gun competition, it might entertain a little more?

The hats are called Busbys.They are heavy.Real bear skins.

You really need to do more videos with Ben. Would love to see his reaction to Queen - especially "I Want to Break Free." For Ben's information, the Queen is very much alive. We are celebrating her 70 years on the throne on the 6th of June. The Trooping of the Colour this year is next Thursday 2nd June 2022. I believe you can stream it live in the States if you can find the right channel.

Joel your bruv, man. So cute! I can’t believe he thought the Queen was dead, though. Not on your nelly! She’s 96 now and I’m hoping she’ll reach 100 cos I wanna see if she’ll write herself a birthday card. I should point out that when someone reaches 100 here, Her Majesty sends them a birthday card. Anyway, bring your bro back again, it was amusing watching the pair of you. What about bringing your other bro into a video? You did say you’ve got two, right?

To see another good example of guards handling rifles effectively, check out part of the opening scene from the movie, "A Few Good Men". Skip ahead to 2:49 in the video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n82Eo5h2l7W4p6s.html

Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated next Thursday 2nd June 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Ah, you young people are so confident today. It's a good thing. When I was young, somebody only had to bring out a camera and I would run and hide. Actually, I still do.

This Thursday (2nd June) is a very special Trooping of the Colour to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (70 years as Queen) and starts four days of national celebrations across the UK - plus it’s an extended national holiday with thousands of events, parties, concerts taking place. Just hope the rain eases!

I recommend you take a look at the ceremonial march past (in slow and quick time) of the foot guards, the household cavalry and the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.

HM the Queen is 96 years old. She has been on the Throne for more than 70 years. This year's Trooping the Colour will take place on 2nd. June.

They don't waste anything over there. Every time a horse dies they wear it on their head. 🤣

More videos with your brother. It's always funny how you two brothers interact.

As A younger brother I feel your pain!! Ben!

Hi Joel. That was 1st Battalion Scots Guards trooping their Colour. All the Regiments of Foot Guards are actually operational Infantry in the British Army, these kind of ceremonies are only a small part of their role. Incidentally, the 'knives' are bayonets, and the weapons are SA80's, not, as your pesky-but-delightful ( 😂😅) lil bro suggested, the AK47. This year's Troop is next Thursday 2nd June, and the 1st Battalion Irish Guards will be trooping their colour. Expect lots of great Irish marches. 👍🇬🇧

This is held at 'Horseguards'. which is right behind 10 Downing Street.

The SA80 rifles are short, and as such the butt of the rifle can't be rested on the ground like the M1 that is used by US military in ceremonial events. As such they have to change arms holding the rifle. The "knife" on the top is a Bayonet. The bearskin hats, are literally bears fur, Canadian Black bear and weigh about 1 1/2 lb.

🤣🤣 that was very funny, bless him. What a lovely relationship you have with your little brother

The Queen is 96 yrs old

As well as covering a lot of ceremonial duties the Guards Regiments are fully trained and operational infantry units . And very good soldiers at that !

Took me a couple of seconds to tell the difference as you both are so alike. Would be cool to see your brother react to the videos you enjoyed.

your brother has got the looks of a film star.

You should watch the Queen do the colour on horse back !! Sadly she can’t do anymore however when she did she would ride a Side saddle!!!!!! Watching her use to make my hairs stand high

Standard sibling relationship. Love it. :)

I think that was Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on one of those horses and the woman on the balcony, you asked who she was - She is The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, wife of Prince William. Prince William is HRH Prince Charles's son and next heir to the throne after Prince Charles.