The Queen presents a Guidon to The Royal Lancers at Windsor Castle
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The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of York, has presented a Guidon to The Royal Lancers during a ceremony in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle.
The Queen is the Colonel-in-Chief and The Duke of York is the Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment.
The Royal Lancers were formed on the 2nd May 2015 following an amalgamation of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) and The Queen's Royal Lancers.
The Queen and The Duke both attended the amalgamation ceremony at Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire in 2015.
During the traditional ceremony at Windsor Castle Her Majesty touched the new Guidon, and presented it to the Regiment.
A Guidon is a heraldic banner carried by cavalry regiments. They were traditionally carried into battle as distinguishing symbols and rallying points for fighting units.
After the presentation Her Majesty gave a speech where the honorific suffix 'Queen Elizabeths' Own' was granted to the Regiment.
To mark my 70th anniversary as your Colonel in Chief I should like to grant you a further distinction – that of an honorific suffix to The Royal Lancers – Queen Elizabeths’ Own - in recognition of your loyal service to me and to my mother, Queen Elizabeth.
After the ceremony The Queen and The Duke participated in official photographs and attended a reception in the Grand Reception Room, where they were able to meet former Colonels of the Regiment and members of the Regimental family.
The Royal Lancers are 12 Armoured Infantry Brigade's Armoured Cavalry Regiment based in Catterick, North Yorkshire. They have extensive operational experience, having been the last regiment to operate the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance in Afghanistan.
The Lancers' distinctive cap-badge represents their Regimental Motto, 'Death or Glory'.
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