Ben Sempala-Ntege says he is 'extremely proud' of the role

Ben Sempala-Ntege, 27, will be left section commander of the King's Troop during the event on 12 June.

He told The Sun newspaper: "Colour plays no part in the Army.

"I am extremely proud to be the first black officer in the Royal Horse Artillery ever to take part in the Queen's Birthday Parade," he added.

Capt Sempala-Ntege, who fled Ugandan dictator Idi Amin with his parents at the age of one, will lead 28 men, 38 horses and a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Whitehall and then back to receive the Royal Salute.

Rail strike

The military pageant also involves members of the Household Division of Foot Guards and Household Cavalry on Horseguards Parade in Whitehall.

First performed for Charles II, it has been staged in London since 1748.

The Queen has attended the annual parade every year of her reign except 1955, when a national rail strike forced its cancellation.

Although the 78-year-old monarch's real birthday is on 21 April, the celebrations take place in June because good weather is more likely.