Queen at Trooping of the Colour for birthday

LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) Thousands of tourists and Londoners today waited in soaring temperatures to watch Queen Elizabeth as she attended the annual Trooping of the Colour ceremony this year to mark her 80th birthday.

Among those taking an active part was the Queen's grandson Prince Harry who is an officer in the Blues and Royals regiment.

The Queen, wearing a purple outfit, and the Duke of Edinburgh rode in a carriage along the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade, followed on horseback by Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.

The ceremony, conducted as temperatures hit 28 degree Celsius, is derived from the tradition of preparations for battle.

In the past the colours, or flags, of the various army units would be paraded along the ranks of soldiers so everyone would know which banner to follow in the chaos of battle.

REUTERS SHB KP1636