The Queen's Birthday

Here in the Falklands they celebrate the Queen's birthday on the day she was born, rather than the Official Birthday in June.  June is not very nice weather here, being midwinter, and also there is the Liberation Day ceremony in June.  That said, when Prince William becomes king, his birthday is June 21, so the Official Birthday wont be that far off his real birthday!

Anyway, the day consists of a parade and 21 Gun Salute, which the Governor receives as the Queen's representative.  There is also a marching band, but this year the band arrived but their equipment and uniforms were not loaded onto the flight....I guess some one at Brize is in a bit of trouble!!!

Simon was on flag duty, which is quite a busy and if you let your concentration slip, very embarrassing!  The day was extremely windy, 50mph had been forecast, but in the end, it was mostly 35-40mph, but gusting stronger at times!

Photos on this one were by Dawn, as Simon was involved in the Parade with FIDF.

As ever, HMS Clyde was in attendance in the harbour, this time directly in front of the saluting guns!  The other organisations in Stanley such as the Sea Cadets, Guides etc also turn out for the event.

Simon and Brian waiting for the parade to begin

The parade arrives, with the RAF, Navy and Army detachment at the front, FIDF at the back.

 
The governor arrives, so there is a salute, and the Union Jack comes down to be replaced with the Governor's Standard.

At this point the flag had to be slackened off, the gusts of wind were making the flag poles vibrate quite badly!

Once that was done, the Queen "arrives", so there is more saluting, and  the Governor's flag comes down, and the Royal Standard goes up.

 The 21 Gun Salute follows.  The wind was from the North though, which meant that everyone was smoked out by the guns.  Even worse was the wadding from the gun shells blew in everyone eyes at the front of the parade.  This wasn't too bad for the gun crew, as they could wipe their faces as part of their movements, but everyone else was stood to attention so could not move!  When they all turned back round, everyone had streaming eyes!!

Once the 21 Gun Salute had been finished, there was an RAF Sea King and RN Lynx Helicopter Flypast.  No Typhoons as it was too windy.....

Harry thought it was all great fun!

Time for another flag swap, as the Queen "left", so the Royal Standard came down, and the Governor's flag went back up.  There was a final march past, and the Governor left, so the Governor's flag came down, and the Union Jack went back up.

That done, it was back up to FIDF for Curry Lunch and drinks!