We spent several days in Shanghai and then went to Beijing to visit our friend Dave, who works in the American embassy.

Here’s a better explanation from the monarchy’s website:

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.  Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.

This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.  Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign’s official birthday. From the reign of Edward VII onwards, the Sovereign has taken the salute in person at Trooping the Colour.

During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops.  After the massed bands have performed a musical ‘troop’, the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks.

The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past Her Majesty, and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past.  The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks.  Her Majesty then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force.  The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event.

As usual, I took some pictures (full album with video here).  You can also watch the BBC’s full broadcast (in the UK) or see highlights.

Click on an image below to view a sampling of the photos.

The campaign is only one week with enormous limits on funding.  This was the first year that websites were allowed, and I think I spent more time fielding questions about the site than actually building it.  We had fun, and I was happy to help out a good friend that will surely go on to big things.

Here are some examples of the photography I used and some snaps from the site itself.  It was hosted at danielkroop.com

Living in Trafalgar Square means I don’t have far to slide to get it done, either.  The snow is so thick and wet that it was hard to keep the camera dry and the lens clear, but that’s what sealed seams are for, amiright?  The photo above is kind of fun because there are several scenes in one.  Click on it to see it larger.

Fortunately, I made it out on the first flight back to the United States when most of the following days’ flights were still cancelled.  Happy to be home.

Click photos below to expand, or view the full gallery here.

A man walks across Trafalgar Square in the calm between the police barricade and the students marching towards him.  The Tesco behind him his boarded up to protect the windows that remain after the shop was damaged in previous demonstrations.

London has seen a number of student demonstrations protesting the cuts in education funding and increase in tuition this fall.  Most of the demonstration pass through Trafalgar Square or end up there at some point.  That line of police in the photo above was easily surmounted and the groups made their way down Whitehall to Parliament Square.  Click below to expand the other photos, or view the full album here.