Editing Trooping the Colour (section)

=== Positioning of the Escort to troop its colour ===
To the first six bars of "God Save the King", the Escort to the Colour presents arms.  Simultaneously, turning outward at an angle of 45°, the NCOs (non-commissioned officers) at the four corners (or flanks) of the Escort port arms, described in annual television commentary and analysis as "protection" for the colour.

The Escort to the Colour and Colour Party slope arms. The Colour Sergeant marches to the right and to the rear of the Escort. Once the Colour Party, Ensign and Regimental Sergeant-Major have joined the Escort, the RSM repositions himself to the left of and behind the Escort. The Subaltern then orders the Escort to change arms and orders the slow march. The Massed Bands turn about.

==== Spinwheel of the massed bands ====
As the Escort to the Colour slow-marches down the field towards No. 6 Guard to begin their colour trooping, the massed bands perform their unique anti-clockwise "[[Spin Wheel|spinwheel]]" manoeuvre. This, a 90° turn in restricted space, is performed while playing the slow march "Escort to the Colour."

The celebrated spinwheel is largely individual and instinctive:  <blockquote>A 'wheel' is not an easy manoeuvre with even a small body of troops, and with a block of 400 men the normal wheel is impossible. The massed band therefore pivots on its own centre, so that certain outer ranks and files march long distances in a hurry while the centre and inner ranks loiter with extreme intent, or merely mark time. Yet others not only step sideways but backwards as well. This highly complex movement is called a 'spin-wheel', the details of which can be found in no drill book or manual of ceremonial. Its complexity defies description, and if the truth were known, many of the participants know not whither they go or, on arrival, how they got there. The spin-wheel is almost an art form and each performance of it, although similar in essentials, is different in detail. Most of the performers are adjusting their actions to suit the needs of the spin-wheel of the moment, having adjusted their movements quite otherwise on other occasions.<ref>Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney Bashford (former (1960–1970) Director of Music for the Grenadier Guards), quoted on {{cite web|url=http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/trooping/trooping.htm#spin/|title=The Massed Bands' Spin-Wheel manoeuvre|access-date=5 June 2010}}</ref></blockquote>
  
Once the Escort reaches the edge of No. 6 Guard, the music stops, and the [[Field Officer in Brigade Waiting]] orders the entire parade (except the Escort) to present arms as the trooping proper starts. The music changes to "The Grenadiers' Slow March."