While the rest of London slept, more than 1,100 troops and 230 horses from The Household Division were out in force rehearsing military manoeuvres in the dark for the upcoming State Visit of China on 20th October.
This early rehearsal was a particular challenge to soldiers who have already done a day’s work, but is chosen deliberately so that it causes as little disruption to the country’s busy capital as possible.
Breakfast for the horses of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and their Band was at 01.30am, before a final grooming and tacking up. The Foot Guards lined the streets from 03.40am and the military processions were underway in The Mall. Musicians played pianissimo and the Gunners fired a mock Royal Salute in the deep shadows of a deserted Green Park with a shout of “Fire!” as they stood immaculately beside their Guns.
When the Troops were all back in Barracks, the horses rubbed down and sleeping in their stables, dawn finally broke over central London and the capital buzzed back into teeming life, oblivious to the ghostly ceremony that had taken place in Westminster hours before.
The State Visit of The President of The Republic of China takes place from Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd October. The VIP Visitors will enjoy a magnificent ceremonial welcome at midday on Horse Guards Parade, in the Mall and at Buckingham Palace at the start of their three day State Visit to Britain.
