King Charles and Princess Anne are attending the Household Cavalry’s new Standards Parade at Windsor Castle this afternoon. The event sees the presentation of new standards – large ceremonial flags – to The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, which are the two most senior regiments in the British Army.
The ceremonial event is full of pomp and pageantry, with the Band of the Household Cavalry, The Dismounted Squadrons and Mounted Troops positioned in the Quadrangle of the Castle, which boasts views of the Long Walk down Windsor Great Park. At the centre of the parade will be the silver kettle drums with the new Union Standards placed upon them. The Sovereign’s Standards will be marched on parade.
The King is attending as Colonel-in-Chief of the Household Cavalry, while Anne is Colonel of The Blues and Royals.
Upon arrival, the King was received by a Royal Salute and the playing of the National Anthem, before the royal siblings inspected the parade.
The new standards will be presented to Charles before being handed to the Commanding Officers.
The King will conclude the ceremony by giving a speech before a Royal Fanfare and a parade march past.
The new standards are made from silk damask with gold and silver embroidery. They will be used more routinely by the regiments wherever they are based as opposed to the Sovereign’s Standards, which are used on all Royal duties and processions of State.
After the ceremonial aspects were complete, the King gave a short speech from a dais, where he said that presenting the new Standards gave him “the greatest pride”.
He 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 am fully aware you continue to represent the very best of that ceremonial brilliance.”
The monarch highlighted the regiments’ history of active service in nearly every major conflict since the Second World War, from the Canal Zone to the Falklands, the Balkans to Afghanistan.
The King continued: “At such a time of global uncertainty, it is of crucial importance to preserve the attributes of excellence and achievement for which you are famous, and which are symbolized by these Standards.
“Emblazoned as they are with the battle honours earned by the blood, toil, tears and sweat of soldiers past, they are the embodied soul of the Regiment.
“I know you will cherish them, and as your Colonel-in-Chief, I commend these Standards to your safe-keeping as a source of honour and inspiration to all of you, whether on parade in London, or overseas. Carry them with pride, that you may do your duty and serve your Country well.”