Westminster Abbey: Guidon Parade

Like Jerusalem the Abbey has a heavenly feel to it, one that many people say they have experienced but cannot fathom. When you enter the Abbey it is like stepping through a portal, you feel transported into a religious and sacred world. Everything is in complete contrast to the secular world outside; everything around you has religious and symbolic meaning.

The Abbey has many striking features, the one that stands out for me most is the amazing Cosmati Pavement which covers much of the floor in front of the altar. It was created in 1269 and it is beautiful to behold and a privalage to gaze upon.

On this occasion, however, I was in the Abbey, sat at the foot of the Cosmati Pavement, for an even more exciting and privileged occasion; my brother, William's Guidon Parade.

I have always had a strong connection with the army. My father is a Brigadier General and I was raised in Sandhurst for 5 years when he was in charge of the camp. With this in mind we were all very proud of William joining as a reservist.

The regiment forming in the parade square of Westminister abbey was a special experience. I was in the VIP section as we were family of the regiment. The weather on the day itself was stormy so there were not as many tourists there on this occasion, which was a relief.

We then took our seats in the front row, nearest the altar to watch the regiment present their colour to the Lord Mayor, who, in return, gives the regiment new colours so that they can renew their oath to the crown.

The regiment formal dress code is smart blue uniform and William looked very proper as he spoke to his peers and commanding officers. I was very proud of him and very glad to have been invited to share such an important moment with him.

It was a serial experience, out of this world. One reads about these events in books parades and generals, when one is there in the flesh it is difficult to describe the experience if one has not been invited to a experience like that.

Overall the experience was one that I shall take to my grave and I can't wait to go back again and relieve this special moment all over again!