From Bessbrook to Basra and now to Buckingham Palace.

It has been nearly 10 years since the Irish Guards have had the honour of Trooping the Colour.

The event marks the Queen's official birthday

But, on Saturday, the regiment paraded their latest battle honour, which was won in Iraq, at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London.

It is the first Army unit to receive such an honour from the Queen in recognition of its efforts in the 2003 Iraq war.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram: "The Queen has approved the award of the battle honour Al Basrah and the theatre honour Iraq 2003 to the Irish Guards who participated in Operation Telic.

"The Irish Guards are being awarded these honours ahead of other Army units to enable them to display the theatre honour Iraq 2003 on their colour on the Queen's birthday parade on June 11."

The Irish Guards said they were delighted at the accolade.

But speaking before the ceremony Commanding Officer Colonel Charlie Naggs said it was all in a day's work.

"It's all part of a military man's job," he said.

An Irish Guard on the outskirts of Basra

"We are purely doing our job for the country and it's just another military task, a very special one, but its one of those rich variety of tasks that we have to do."

Lance Sergeant Gerard Hanna from Enniskillen said the event would be a "big step" for the Irish Guards.

"The Basra campaign is now on the Colours and we are going to Troop that Colour for the first time with Basra on it in front of the Queen," he said.

However, Regimental Sergeant Major Simon Nicholls from Newtownards said there would be pride tinged with sadness on Saturday.

"We lost two guys in Iraq," he said. "I will spare a thought for Christopher Muzvuru and Ian Malone when I go forward to get the Colour."

The Queen's actual birthday is 21 April but Trooping the Colour marks her "official" birthday in Britain.

During the ceremony, the Queen inspects the Household Division, soldiers perform a "troop" or musical performance and the regimental colour is passed down the ranks.

A total of 800 guardsmen, 205 musicians, 118 troopers, 51 mounted musicians and 169 horses take part.