Editing Trooping the Colour (section)

=== Preparing for the march-past ===
[[File:Trooping the Colour form march past.JPG|thumb|right|From front to back: Guards Nos. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 in ranks of two. Background at left: massed bands.]]
The Field Officer gives the command, "Officers, take post." Nos. 1 to 5 Guard then "retire", about-turning and right-forming into review formation, following which the Adjutant commands "Guides, steady", giving signal to the company guides to resume their positions. Nos. 1 to 5 Guard then about-turn again as the [[Corps of Drums]] play. Since No. 6 Guard is already standing at right angles to the other five companies it does not need to execute this movement, but instead it moves close-order position then to the right in threes after Nos. 1 to 5 Guards turn back to advance position.{{efn|group=note|Also, as No. 6 Guard is always formed on the left of the line by the Coldstream Guards if present, by tradition they do not recognize the command to "retire".}}

Once intervals are established, the Field Officer salutes the King and informs him that the foot guards are ready to march past, then after turning about, commands, "Guards will march past in slow and quick time... Slow march!" No. 6 Guard will then left turn to be advance and then form two ranks on marching after the parade has started to execute the slow march.