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The highlight of the event was a speech by President James Michel.

Among those who attended the event were former President France Albert René and the secretary general of the Indian Ocean Commission, Monique Andreas Esoavelomandroso.

Besides 10 platoons made up of Seychelles disciplinary forces, there was also a contingent of French Navy personnel from the visiting ship Floreal, under the command of Lt Nicholas Virot.

The entire parade was commanded by Major Robert Antat of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces.

On his arrival, President Michel was received by Vice-President Joseph Belmont, Designated Minister Danny Faure, who is also the chairman of the National Day celebrations committee, Chief of the Defence Forces Brigadier Leopold Payet and Police Commissioner Gerard Waye-Hive.

The President inspected a guard of honour mounted by both the Seychellois and French forces before the local platoons marched in slow time and saluted him.

They, along with the visiting soldiers, marched past in fast time to the accompaniment of music from the National Brass Band.

With the earlier showers gone, 1,000 Seychellois youths wearing T-shirts depicting the national flag marched past the President and also saluted him waving miniature flags.

Groups of youths then gave traditional and modern dance performances to bring the evening’s activities to a close on a high note.