The King and The Princess Royal attend a Presentation of New Standards

The King, joined by The Princess Royal, has attended the Household Cavalry new Standards Parade, at Windsor Castle. The Standards symbolise the Cavalry Squadrons’ history, achievements and identity and are held in the highest reverence. 

The Household Cavalry, of which The King is Colonel-in-Chief, is made up of the two most senior regiments in the British Army: The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals. It is divided into the Household Cavalry Regiment and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

His Majesty was received on the dais in the Quadrangle by a Royal Salute and the National Anthem was played. 

The King, together with The Princess Royal, as Colonel of The Blues and Royals, and Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, as Colonel of The Life Guards, then inspected the parade. 

The Chaplain General of His Majesty’s Land Forces consecrated the Standards, which were presented to The King, before they were handed to the Commanding Officers. Returning to the dais, His Majesty addressed the parade, before a Royal Fanfare and the parade march past. 

The King said:

The Household Cavalry is renowned worldwide for the splendours of all those unique ceremonies at the heart of the nation, and today, seeing you all on parade here, I can see you continue to represent the very best of that ceremonial brilliance. 

During the ceremony, The Band of the Household Cavalry, The Dismounted Squadrons and Mounted Troops were positioned in the Quadrangle. At the centre of the parade was the silver kettle drums with the new Union Standards placed upon them. The Sovereign’s Standards were marched on parade.

Since 1660, the soldiers of Household Cavalry have acted as the Monarch’s trusted guardians, as well as being the public face of the British Army both at home and abroad.