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The Gold Stick and the Silver Stick are
Although now only in evidence on ceremonial and state occasions, the office of ''Gold Stick'' dates from Tudor times, when two officers were placed close to the Sovereign's person to protect him or her from danger. The office is held jointly by the Colonels of the Life Guards (LG) and the Blues and Royals (RHG/D), both being Regiments of the Household Cavalry of the Household Division. The Gold Sticks, of whom one at any time is on duty as Gold Stick-in-Waiting, were originally entrusted with the personal safety of the Sovereign. Since the reign of Queen Victoria these officers' duties have been mainly ceremonial; they attend all state occasions and take part in the processions for the Coronation and the
The ''Silver Stick'' is the Commander of the Household Cavalry and holds the rank of colonel. Silver Stick-in-Waiting is the deputy (assistant) to Gold Stick-in-Waiting, but there are occasions when Silver Stick only is summoned for duty—for example, on the arrival of a head of state on a state visit.
The office was created in 1678, and until 1950 was held by the lieutenant-colonels in command of the Household Cavalry regiments. Originally, only the Life Guards were included; in 1820, the
The Gold Stick and the Silver Stick are bodyguard
A bodyguard (or close protection officer/operative) is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects a person or a group of people — usually witnesses, high-ranking public officials or officers, w ...
positions in the British Royal Household, personal attendants to the Sovereign
''Sovereign'' is a title which can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French , which is ultimately derived from the Latin , meaning 'above'.
The roles of a sovereign vary from monarch, ruler or ...
on ceremonial occasions.
Gold Stick
Although now only in evidence on ceremonial and state occasions, the office of ''Gold Stick'' dates from Tudor times, when two officers were placed close to the Sovereign's person to protect him or her from danger. The office is held jointly by the Colonels of the Life Guards (LG) and the Blues and Royals (RHG/D), both being Regiments of the Household Cavalry of the Household Division. The Gold Sticks, of whom one at any time is on duty as Gold Stick-in-Waiting, were originally entrusted with the personal safety of the Sovereign. Since the reign of Queen Victoria these officers' duties have been mainly ceremonial; they attend all state occasions and take part in the processions for the Coronation and the State Opening of Parliament
The State Opening of Parliament is a ceremonial event which formally marks the beginning of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It includes a speech from the throne known as the King's (or Queen's) Speech. The event takes place ...
. On these occasions, Gold Stick conveys the Sovereign's orders to the Household Cavalry. The name derives from the staff of office, which has a gold head.
The current Colonel of the Blues and Royals is the Princess Royal, the daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...
and younger sister to King Charles III.
The current Colonel of the Life Guards is Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne
Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom), Lieutenant General Sir Edward Alexander Smyth-Osbourne, (born 18 May 1964) is a retired senior British Army officer.
Early life and education
Smyth-Osbourne was born on 18 May 1964 in Plymouth, England. He wa ...
.Court Circular
The Court Circular (CC) is the official record that lists the engagements carried out by the monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms; the Royal Family; and appointments to their staff and to the court. It is issued by St Ja ...
, 7 June 2019.
Silver Stick
The ''Silver Stick'' is the Commander of the Household Cavalry and holds the rank of colonel. Silver Stick-in-Waiting is the deputy (assistant) to Gold Stick-in-Waiting, but there are occasions when Silver Stick only is summoned for duty—for example, on the arrival of a head of state on a state visit.
The office was created in 1678, and until 1950 was held by the lieutenant-colonels in command of the Household Cavalry regiments. Originally, only the Life Guards were included; in 1820, the Royal Horse Guards
The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) (RHG) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry.
Raised in August 1650 at Newcastle upon Tyne and County Durham by Sir Arthur Haselrigge on the orders of Oliver Cr ...
were added, and since 1969 the Blues and Royals have been included. They served by monthly rotation. Now the (Colonel) Commander Household Cavalry holds the office alone. Through the authority of the Gold Stick he has the detail of regiments and individuals to carry out royal duties. In general, the Silver Stick has charge of all ceremonial duties for the Sovereign.
Silver Stick's principal aide when on duty is termed Silver Stick Adjutant
Adjutant is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of human resources in an army unit. The term is used in French-speaking armed forces as a non-commission ...
.
Scotland
There are separate Gold and Silver Sticks in Scotland, and these are the senior officers of the Sovereign's Bodyguard of the Royal Company of Archers.References
{{British Monarchy Household Bodyguards Ceremonial officers in the United Kingdom Household Cavalry Positions within the British Royal Household