MOUNTIES TAKE PART IN QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE CEREMONY NEAR PALACE

Описание: (23 May 2012) One of London's most iconic landmarks took on a distinctly Canadian look on Wednesday when the country's iconic mounted police took part in a Changing of the Guard ceremony near Buckingham Palace, as part of the Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee celebrations.
In their trademark red jackets and brown Stetson hats, a detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police paraded up The Mall and into Horseguards.
There, they exchanged places with troops from Britain's Household Cavalry who had been on the previous shift.
To the delight of watching crowds, two of the Mounties took up position in the sentry boxes outside the main entrance to Horseguards.
It's the first time that the Mounties, or any other foreign force, have been accorded the honour of mounting the Queen's Life Guard - the ceremonial arm of the Queen's personal bodyguard.
The head of the detachment, Greg Peters, said two of the defining images of Canada and Britain had come together on the streets of London.
"It's poetry in motion," he said. "The fact that we're honouring Queen Elizabeth II - Canada's Queen, who has the love and affection not just of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) but of all Canadians - is the honour of my career. I suspect I will never experience something like this again in my career or my life."
While the Mounties quickly won hearts and minds by posing for photos with tourists, Canada's high commissioner (ambassador) to London, Gordon Campbell, had a personal reason to celebrate the occasion.
His great-grandfather was in the Mounties, and was part of a detachment that travelled to London in 1987 to attend Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II is Canada's titular head of state as Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies.
The diamond jubilee celebration mark the Queen's 60-year reign


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