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Sikh soldier first to wear turban in Queen's official birthday parade

Sarwar Alam
By Sarwar AlamJun 10, 2018
Sarwar Alam
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A Sikh soldier became the first to wear a turban instead of a bearskin hat during the annual parade that celebrates the Queen's Birthday.

Guardsman Charanpreet Singh Lall, 22, marched among 1,000 soldiers taking part in Trooping the Colour ceremony.

His turban was black to match his comrades' headgear and featured the Coldstream Guards' ceremonial cap star.

His proud parents and sister were among the crowds lining Horse Guards Parade for the ceremony.

Lall, from Leicester, who came to the UK from India as a boy, said: "Being the first turban-wearing Sikh to troop the colour and be part of the escort is a high honour."

"I hope people will look on this as a change in history," Lall, who joined up in 2016, added.

"I hope that more people like me, not just Sikhs, but people from other religions and backgrounds, will be encouraged to join the Army," he was quoted as saying by Express newspaper.

While Queen Elizabeth celebrated her actual birthday on April 21, the Trooping of the Colour takes place on any Saturday of June.

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No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance

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Falklands sovereignty row erupts days before King Charles meets Trump

Highlights

  • A Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering reviewing its support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands.
  • Downing Street said sovereignty "rests with the UK" and the islanders' right to self-determination is "paramount".
  • Report emerged just three days before King Charles and Queen Camilla are due to meet Trump at the White House.
A report suggesting the US may be rethinking its position on the Falkland Islands has sparked a strong response from Downing Street, coming just days before King Charles and Queen Camilla head to Washington to meet president Donald Trump.
An internal Pentagon email, reported by Reuters, suggested the US was looking at ways to put pressure on Nato allies it felt had not supported its war in Iran.
One of the options discussed was a review of American backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.
No 10 was quick to respond, with the prime minister's spokesman saying the government "could not be clearer" on its stance.
"Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islanders' right to self-determination is paramount," he told BBC, adding that this had been "expressed clearly and consistently to successive US administrations."
He was firm that "nothing is going to change that."
The Falkland Islands government backed London's position, saying it had "complete confidence" in the UK's commitment to defending its right to self-determination.
Previous US administrations have recognised Britain's administration of the islands but have stopped short of formally backing its sovereignty claim.

Political reaction grows

The report triggered sharp reactions from across British politics. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the reported US position "absolute nonsense", adding: "We need to make sure that we back the Falklands.

They are British territory." Reform UK's Nigel Farage said the matter was "utterly non-negotiable" and confirmed he would raise it with Argentina's president Javier Milei when they meet later this year.

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