Thousands of troops prepare to march in Diamond Jubilee parade

Thousands of troops are to take part in a parade before the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The parade and muster on 19 May in Windsor will involve nearly 2,500 service personnel from the Royal Navy, the army and the Royal Air Force.

The troops will parade through Windsor Castle and the town, watched by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. They will then muster in the castle grounds, in front of more than 3,000 members of the armed forces, their families and veterans, before a flypast of current and historical aircraft takes place.

General Sir David Richards, chief of the defence staff, said: “Her Majesty the Queen’s support and encouragement over the years has created a very special bond between our monarch and her forces.

“That link is felt by all those who have the privilege to wear Her Majesty’s uniform.”