Months of dedicated preparation and weeks of drill for around 800 personnel fell into place for the presentation made by the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, during a visit to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire. Rain which had plaqued parade rehearsals for most of the week even stayed away for most of the day – although a quick drenching was unfortunately in store for personnel and spectators during the final five minutes.

61 Squadron Standards were on display on the parade ground and personnel welcomed the Queen in the presence of 5,000 invited guests which included proud families, serving members of the RAF and its various associations and charities.

The event was the largest RAF parade since the Queen conducted a ‘Silver Jubilee’ Review of the RAF at RAF Finningley, Yorkshire in 1977. After the Royal salute four Typhoon aircraft flew past in formation, and the Queen was invited to review the Parade. The Colours were then escorted by the Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment), augmented by other Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons and 34 Squadron RAF Regiment. They were supported by two further squadrons made up of RAF personnel from around the UK.

A drumhead blessing service was held for the new Queen’s Colours followed by a short speech from the Queen. “I am very pleased to be presenting my Colour to the RAF in this, your 90th anniversary year. The RAF can be truly proud of the level of service it provides and the considerable successes it has achieved. It continues to be an example to other Air Forces.

“This is the fifth time I have presented the RAF with a new Colour. On each occasion I have been impressed by the determination, professionalism, skill and commitment with which the RAF serves.”

The Colour was received on behalf of the RAF by Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, GCB CBE DSO ADC BSc(Eng) FRAeS FCGI, Chief of the Air Staff. He said: “It is a great honour to receive this Colour which will be guarded well and proudly held as an example of all we hold dear in the service. It will be a source of inspiration for all who look upon it.” The Parade then marched past Her Majesty with the new Queen’s Colours and the ceremony closed with the traditional three cheers for the Queen.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met Military and Civic dignitaries before lunch with RAF personnel, following which they met further RAF personnel and families representing 90 years of the Royal Air Force. The day was completed with a mass flypast – the largest since that which marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1990, when 168 aircraft flew over Buckingham Palace.

Taking part in the parade just under a year into her RAF service was LAC Cally Robinson, 27, from RAF Lyneham. She said: “I’m immensely proud. I don’t think I will get to see anything like this again and it’s an honour to be here. Lots of nerves were showing before the parade and people were shaking but it all came together on the day. I think it’s fantastic – it just makes me proud.”

Although far more experienced at parades, but enjoying the day no less was Flight Sergeant Rob Ellis, serving with 34 Sqn RAF Regiment from RAF Leeming. A former drill instructor, Rob, 43, has previously trained recruits through no less than 104 passing out parades. He said: “I always feel proud. I have trained the guys from where they have no experience to a standard which is almost that of the Queens’ Colour Squadron. It did feel different knowing that the Queen was watching, but the lads all enjoyed it.”

© UK Crown copyright 2008

Thanks to Ron Fairweather for the pictures below