Trooping the Colour is the Queen’s official birthday celebration, and showcases one of the world’s most esteemed military displays. The day sees the Queen and other royals travel down the Mall from Buckingham Palace by carriage. But when the Queen was younger, she actually rode her own horse, and, in 1981, it became clear just how exposed she was on horseback.
On June 13, 1981, a 55-year-old Queen Elizabeth II mounted her 19-year-old horse, Burmese, and headed down the Mall from Buckingham Palace.
In the crowds lining the Mall, a 17-year-old named Marcus Serjeant found a spot near the junction between The Mall and Horseguards Avenue.
When the Queen rode past, he fired six quick blank rounds from his starting pistol directly at the Queen.
The horse startled, but the Queen managed to bring her under control, and neither was harmed.
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Queen Elizabeth: When the Queen was younger, she rode her own horse for the parade (Image: Getty)
Queen Elizabeth: This photo was taken after the attempt in 1981 (Image: Getty)
When Serjeant was subdued by the Queen’s security, he cried out: “I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be a somebody.”
After the frightening incident, it emerged that Serjeant had far more sinister intentions.
He had sent a letter to Buckingham Palace which read: “Your Majesty. Don't go to the Trooping the Colour ceremony because there is an assassin set up to kill you,
