The parade formed up on the historic Horse-Guards, with over 1500 cadets and 5 cadet bands, the parade consisted of cadets and staff from all over the UK from Sea, Army and Air cadet forces.

The parade marched off down the Mall where HRH Prince Charles took the salute, and the Red Arrows flew over the parade trailing their red white and blue smoke.

After marching down the Mall, past the Queen Victoria monument the cadets filed into Wellington barracks. Here they were reformed before Marching to and through the North gate of Buckingham Palace, where guests and dignitaries were treated to a royal garden party. Cadets then lined the route where the royal party of Prince Charles, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Cornwall, spoke to them, Cadet Sergeant Goodall spoke to the Earl of Wessex who was interested to know how long he had been a cadet and what he enjoyed.  Cadet Flight Sergeant Ferguson had a similar conversation with the Duchess of Cornwall. 

The cadets then mingled with the guests and were able to look around the garden whilst the band of the Ghurkhas played in the bandstand and light refreshments of cucumber sandwiches and dainty pastries were served, the weather was kind on the day which meant all had a great day to remember.

July 6th was also Alexa Ferguson’s eighteenth birthday and she commented that “it was a fantastic opportunity to spend my eighteenth birthday in this way and also an honour to be able to meet the Royals present.  I am also able to say that I had my eighteenth birthday party at Buckingham Palace!”