This day was the culminations of six months training and preparation to become the 2006 Queen’s Scouts Parade Colour Party. We awoke early, and after packing our smartly pressed uniforms into the back of our car, made our way down to Victoria Barracks in Windsor to check in and begin our preparations for the parade ahead.

Shortly after our arrival we began warming up with the section leaders outside, whilst the Queen’s Scouts arrived to check in. During the morning the Queen’s Scouts were split into their sections and taught how to march as well as the different manoeuvres they would need to know for the parade.

this was the start of a day we would never forget. After two very quick run-throughs on the lawn, we made our way to the chapel for our final practise, again the sun following us as we went. Forty minutes later we were forming up at the bottom of the Royal Mews, very nervous and apprehensive awaiting the order to start the Parade.

This was the moment we had been practising for and all of a sudden the nerves seemed to disappear. As we stepped out and marched up past all of the sections to lead the parade I remember feeling immense pride at being allowed to lead a parade that has taken place every year since 1934.

The parade made its way from the Royal Mews up through the castle grounds to St George’s gate, here we waited as the sections made their way onto the lawn and once everyone had marched past us we moved into position underneath the arch.

From here we could see the entire quadrangle which felt like an enormous amphitheatre, the sections lining each side with the Royal Apartments to our right and the tower to our left.

Very quickly the quadrangle fell silent and all eyes turned towards us as we waited for our signal. From the archway we marched up onto the lawn and in between the Guards Band and the Scout band until we reached our position. Des Harris, the parade leader brought us to the Alert before issuing the command “March on the Colours!” Although only a couple of seconds passed it felt like a lifetime before we set out down the length of the Lawn. From here we had to stand still for about forty minutes whilst the parade was inspected by Lord Baden Powell and the Chief Scout, Peter Duncan. Unfortunately at this point we were unable to fully enjoy the display by the bands as we had to keep looking dead ahead, but both the Scout and Guards bands sounded excellent.

After the inspection Lord Baden Powell and Peter Duncan came over to us and said hello, before making their way over to the award holders.

From this point we took post and made our way down St George’s gate once again ready for the march past. Leading the entire parade around the quadrangle was again a very special moment, especially as we spotted our parents in the corner as we went past.

From here the parade made its way down to St Georges Chapel for the service, prepared and delivered by four Queen’s Scouts from the North West. The service was relayed to those outside, it talked of journeys and the path that Queen’s Scouts take through their lives. This held a special significance for us as it was the culmination of our journey that took us from our training in Manchester to the Parade itself in Windsor.