A speech by The Queen at the Presentation of new Colours to the RAF
Published
I hand over my Colour with confidence that you will guard it well, just as you continue to guard your heritage, ethos and unique contribution to Defence.
I am very pleased to present my Colour to the Royal Air Force in this your 90th Anniversary year. The RAF can rightly be proud of the loyal Service and considerable successes achieved over the past 90 years. You continue to be an outstanding example to other Air Forces, whether defending the skies over the United Kingdom or protecting the Nation's interests overseas.
This is the fifth time that I have presented the Royal Air Force with a new Colour. On each occasion I have been enormously impressed with the professionalism, skill, determination and courage with which the men and women of the RAF serve, often in the most challenging and dangerous circumstances.
Current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have thrown a spotlight on the many achievements of the Service, of which you can all be immensely proud. However, I am also deeply conscious that this success sometimes comes at great cost to the Service, individuals and their families.
I hand over my Colour with confidence that you will guard it well, just as you continue to guard your heritage, ethos and unique contribution to Defence. Let this Colour be an emblem of your achievements and the embodiment of your Service's traditions.
Today I also present a Colour to the Royal Air Force Regiment which, as your Air Commodore in Chief, I know takes great pride in being a part of the Royal Air Force.
Since the Royal Air Force Regiment was formed 66 years ago the Corps has subsequently distinguished itself in every theatre of war. Today the RAF Regiment is deployed in the vital and dangerous task of defending our airfields at Basra in Iraq and Kandahar in Afghanistan. In addition, members of the Corps are supporting our Land Forces and United Nations Peacekeeping efforts worldwide. Sadly, these operations carry a high risk and seven members of the Corps have paid the ultimate price of service in the last year.
I give my Colour today into the safe keeping of the Royal Air Force Regiment as a symbol of the trust we place in the Corps, its fighting spirit and, not least, to honour those men who have served bravely in the past and those who are currently serving with such courage and fortitude. I do so, confident that you will guard it well and honour all that it represents.
Related content

A message from Her Majesty The Queen on the 75th anniversary of VJ day
May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.



The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings



The Queen's speech at the commissioning ceremony of HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth embodies the best of British technology and innovation – a true flagship for the 21st century


Prince Harry delivers a message from The Queen at RAF Honnington
The presentation of Colours is an opportunity to recognise historic achievements and to look forward to the future with confidence; a confidence built upon the dedication of...


The Queen addresses The Royal Lancers at Windsor Castle
You have established yourselves as a unified Regiment and a force without match




The Queen's Response to the Chief Engineer, on the Corps of Royal Engineers 300th anniversary
I would wish all Sappers, wherever they may be, every success and good fortune in the future


A speech by The Queen at the Royal Artillery Tercentenary Parade on 26th May, 2016
The Royal Regiment of Artillery has since 1716 proudly served the Nation all over the World and I wish all Gunners every success and good fortune in the future


Presentation of Colours

The Queen's message marking Prince Harry's secondment to the Australian Diggers
The Queen and members of the Royal Family will attend a Service of Thanksgiving
A speech by The Queen to the Welsh Guards
No hundredth birthday greeting will give greater pleasure to deliver than the one I give to you, along with these New Colours today.
A speech by The Queen at Rosyth Dockyard
I name this ship QUEEN ELIZABETH. May God bless her and all who sail in her.
A speech by The Queen at the Grenadier Guards Garden Party
The Regimental Association is the very embodiment of the Regimental Family and I trust that it will thrive equally well over the next century too!
A speech by The Queen at the Armed Forces Muster, 2012
We are very proud of the selfless service, and sacrifices made by servicemen and women and their families in recent years.
A speech by The Queen to the Coldstream Guards, 2012
You are worthy successors to those soldiers of General Monck’s Regiment of Foot, who, in 1660, marched from Coldstream to restore law and order in the Capital.
A speech by The Queen at the Presentation of Colours, Royal Military College of Australia
The presentation of Colours is a special opportunity to recognise the past achievements, to give thanks for commitment and loyalty today, and to express confidence in the...
A speech by The Queen to the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2011
A fresh chapter has now opened with this presentation of new Colours to six of the seven battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
A speech by The Queen to 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, 2010
The Colours, that I am presenting to you this morning, represent the spirit of the Regiment, past and present.
The Queen's broadcast to the Armed Forces, 1 July 2009
I greatly hope that the Elizabeth Cross will give further meaning to the nation’s debt of gratitude to the families and loved ones of those who have died in the service of our...
A speech by The Queen on the 500th anniversary of Gentlemen at Arms
Your service to the Crown continues in a distinctive way and reinforces the very best values of those who came before you.
A speech by The Queen at RAF Cranwell, 2009
You can be justly proud of your achievements, as – I am sure – are your families and friends.
A speech by The Queen to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, 2009
You have the greatest cause to be proud of your achievements.