It is not only the first Trooping of the Colour for Guardsman Charanpreet Singh Lall, but it also marks the first time a member of the Coldstream Guards has taken part wearing a turban.

More than a thousand soldiers will today take part in the ceremony, which marks the Queen's official birthday on Saturday as the nation honours the monarch.

A Coldstream Guards soldier, who will wear a turban as he parades during Trooping the Colour, has said he hopes it is looked upon as a "new change in history".

How Are The Coldstream Guards Preparing For Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday?

The 22-year-old from Leicester said: "I hope that people watching, that they will just acknowledge it and that they will look at it as a new change in history.

"I hope that more people like me, not just Sikhs but from other religions and different backgrounds, that they will be encouraged to join the Army."

Gdsm Lall was born in India and moved to the UK as a baby. He joined the British Army in January 2016 and is a member of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.

The turban he will wear is black and features the ceremonial cap star to match the bearskin hats.

"I'm quite proud and I know that a lot of other people are proud of me as well," he said.

"It is a good feeling... there's going to be a lot of eyes and I am going to have an influence on other people."

Cover Image: PA