<P> A regiment's colours embody its spirit and service, as well as its fallen soldiers . The loss of a colour, or the capture of an enemy colour, were respectively considered the greatest shame, or the greatest glory on a battlefield . Consequently, regimental colours are venerated by officers and soldiers of all ranks, second to the sovereign . </P> <P> Only battalions of infantry regiments of the line carry colours; the Royal Artillery's colours, for example, are its guns . Rifle regiments did not form a line and thus never carried colours . Their battle honours are carried on their drums . The exception to this is the Honourable Artillery Company, which has both a stand of colours and guns . </P> <P> Trooping the Colour is an old ceremony whereby a battalion would fall in by companies and the colour - party would "troop" or march the colours through the ranks so that every man would see that the colours were intact . This was done before and after every battle . This ceremony has been retained through time and is today largely ceremonial . </P> <P> In the United Kingdom, Trooping the Colour is also known as the Queen's Birthday Parade . It has marked the official birthday of the sovereign since 1748, and has occurred annually since 1820 (except in bad weather, periods of mourning and other exceptional circumstances). From the reign of King Edward VII, the sovereign has taken the salute in person . It was Edward VII who moved Trooping the Colour to its June date, because of the vagaries of British weather (his actual birthday being in November). From 1979 to 2017 it was always held on the Saturday falling between 11--17 June; however, the date announced for 2018 fell on 9 June . </P>

What is the point of trooping the colour
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