LONDON — The Royal Cavalry at the Royal Court Affairs (Oman) took part in the Beating Retreat ceremony, a military music show staged here by the British Royal Court Cavalry in the presence of Prince Edward. The Royal Cavalry’s two bands and the band of the Royal Army of Oman’s second battalion performed alongside international bands from around the world. The attire of the Omani horsemen and women riders and the silver décor of the horses let the Sultanate’s team stand apart.
The British media highlighted the Sultanate’s spectacular participation and the Sultanate’s achievements during the renaissance led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. At the 
end of the show, a gun salute responded to the enthusiasm of the public and fireworks lit up the skies to the great excitement of the crowds. On two successive evenings each year in June a magnificent pageant of military music, precision drill and colour takes place on Horse Guards Parade in the heart of London when the Massed Bands of the Household Division carry out the Ceremony of Beating Retreat.
It is an unforgettable evening as 300 musicians, drummers and pipers perform this age-old ceremony. The Retreat has origins in the early days of chivalry when beating or sounding retreat pulled a halt to the 
days fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night. Today, Beating Retreat, has become a major event in the Army’s ceremonial calendar, delivering an evening of spirited marches as well as poignant and evocative hymns and anthems of special significances to our fighting forces everywhere.
The salute is taken by Her Majesty The Queen or another member of The Royal Family. The participants of Household Division Beating Retreat are drawn from the bands of the two Household Cavalry Regiments and the five Foot Guards Regiments which make up the Household Division. The Massed Bands of The Royal Marines have also been Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade approximately every three years since 1960. — ONA
