promises to be a majestic affair By Nicole Williams Smith Everyone loves a parade -- especially one filled with plenty of pomp and circumstance.

And Monday's Queen's Birthday Parade promises to be a majestic affair, giving locals and visitors alike a taste of good-ole British pageantry.

The annual Queen's Birthday Parade is part of the official birthday celebrations of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

According to adjutant Capt. Eddie Lamb, the parade is steeped in tradition and dates back to the reign of King George III.

At that time regiments of the Household Division (better known as the Brigade of Guards) mounted a ceremonial parade in London -- commonly known as Trooping the Colour.

Since that first ceremony, the second Saturday in June has been set aside as the sovereign's official birthday in the UK.

This year's Trooping the Colour Ceremony was held last weekend, but Bermuda will hold its military parade on Monday.

Capt. Lamb said this year's parade will have a special British flavour thanks to the presence of the British Navy.

"A guard from the visiting Royal Navy ship HMS Marlborough will be participating in this year's parade,'' he said. "The ship will be docked in Hamilton.'' At precisely 10.15 a.m. the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, the Regimental Colours and the Guard of Honour, which each consists of an officer and 20 men, will march onto Front Street.

And representatives from the Bermuda Cadet Corps, the Bermuda Police Services, The Bermuda Police Reserves and the Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps will also take part in the festivities.

Since the Queen will not attend the parade the Governor, Thorold Masefield, will represent her, added Capt. Lamb.

The Governor, who makes his grand entrance via an open horse-drawn carriage, inspects the troops, takes the salute and leads the traditional three cheers for the Queen.

Despite the Queen's absence, her symbolic presence will be marked with the unfurling of the Royal Standard on top of the Flagpole.

The ceremony culminates with a thundering 21-gun salute and the rapid fire of the Regiment's rifles sounding off the traditional feu-de-joie --`the fire of joy'.

Looking sharp!: Since the Queen will not attend the parade, the Governor Thorold Masefield will represent her. Here he is seen inspecting the troops.