Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant

Over 300 Royal Air Force aviators were last week preparing for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at RAF Halton in advance of the Pageant at Buckingham Palace this weekend.

Aviators from around the UK and overseas territories, were practicing their drill routines alongside members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron and RAF musicians at the RAF station in Buckinghamshire.

Group Captain Dan Startup, Station Commander at RAF Halton said: “Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force is immensely proud to form a key part in the celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. Royal Air Force Halton personnel have been refreshing Aviators from across the Service so that they could meet the highest standards of Parade readiness on Sunday. We are honoured to pay tribute to our Monarch, who has served the country and supported the Royal Air Force for the past 70 years.”

The RAF Central Band also performed the new pageant composition, titled “For Queen & Country” as well as a rendition of “Sweet Caroline”, which has become an internet sensation surrounding the jubilee.

In addition to the traditional Trooping the Colour military display to celebrate The Queen’s Official Birthday, members of the UK Armed Forces were on parade throughout the jubilee weekend to mark her 70 years as sovereign and head of the Armed Forces.

The preparations at Halton followed the flypast rehearsal at RAF College Cranwell last week and were mirrored by similar work being done by the Royal Navy and British Army to prepare for the  Platinum Jubilee. The marching detachment also held an early morning practice on Tuesday 31 May outside  Buckingham Palace.