The Household Cavalry (HCav) is made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). These regiments are divided between the

Household Cavalry Regiment The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) is an Armoured Cavalry regiment of the British Army based in Bulford Camp in Wiltshire. It is the brother regiment of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) based at Hyde Park Barracks in London - both ...

stationed at

Kiwi Barracks Bulford Camp is a military camp on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Established in 1897, the site continues in use as a large British Army base. The camp is close to the village of Bulford and is about northeast of the town of Amesbury ...

in Wiltshire and the ceremonial mounted unit, the

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army tasked primarily with ceremonial duties. Part of the Household Division, it is classed as a regiment of guards, and carries out mounted (and some dismounted ...

, garrisoned at Hyde Park Barracks (Knightsbridge Barracks) in London. The Household Cavalry is part of the Household Division and is the King's official bodyguard. Although the Household Cavalry Regiment is armoured, it is not part of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Life Guards and Blues and Royals

The British Household Cavalry is classed as a corps in its own right, and consists of two regiments: the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). They are the senior regular regiments in the British Army, with traditions dating from 1660, and act as the King's personal bodyguard. They are guards regiments and, with the five

foot guard The foot ( : feet) is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg ma ...

regiments, constitute the seven guards regiments of the Household Division.

Organisation

Below is the structure of the regiment: * Household Cavalry Regiment, at Powle Lines, Bulford Camp (Armoured Reconnaissance) ** Regimental Headquarters ** Headquarters Squadron ** A Squadron ** B Squadron (Command and Support) ** C Squadron ** D Squadron * Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, at Knightsbridge Barracks, London (Ceremonial) ** Regimental Headquarters ** Headquarters Squadron *** Winter Training Troop *** Forge and Veterinary Department *** Household Cavalry Training Wing, at Combermere Barracks, Windsor ** Life Guards Squadron ** Blues and Royals Squadron The Household Cavalry as a whole is split into two different units that fulfil very distinct roles. These are both joint units, consisting of personnel from both regiments. Like other Cavalry formations, the Household Cavalry is divided into regiments ( battalion-sized units) and squadrons (

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

-sized sub-units). The whole corps is under the command of the Commander Household Cavalry (formerly Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Household Cavalry), who also holds the Royal Household appointment of Silver Stick in Waiting. He is a Colonel, and is assisted by a retired lieutenant colonel as Regimental

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 ...

. The

(HCR) has an active operational role as a Formation Reconnaissance Regiment, serving in armoured fighting vehicles, which has seen them at the forefront of the nation's conflicts. The regiment forms one of five formation reconnaissance regiments in the British Army's order of battle. The HCR has four operational squadrons, three of which are traditional medium reconnaissance squadrons equipped with the combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked) or CVR(T) range of vehicles (Scimitar, Spartan, Sultan, Samson and Samaritan) and the fourth is referred to as Command and Support Squadron and includes specialists, such as Forward Air Controllers. One of HCR's squadrons is assigned to the airborne role with

16 Air Assault Brigade 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, from 1999 to 2021 16 Air Assault Brigade, is a formation of the British Army based in Colchester in the county of Essex. It is the Army's rapid response airborne formation and is the only brigade in the Britis ...

as of 2003. The Regiment was formerly based at Combermere Barracks, Windsor, one mile from Windsor Castle, until its move to Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, in May 2019. The members of the Household Division have sometimes been required to undertake special tasks as the Sovereign's personal troops. The Household Cavalry were called to Windsor Castle on 20 November 1992 to assist with salvage operations following the

1992 Windsor Castle fire On 20 November 1992, a fire broke out in Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and one of the official residences of the British Monarch. The castle suffered extensive damage and was fully repaired within the next five yea ...

. The

(HCMR) is horsed and carries out mounted (and some dismounted) ceremonial duties on State and Royal occasions. These include the provision of a

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 ...

's Escort, most commonly seen on The King's Birthday Parade ( Trooping the Colour) in June each year. Other occasions include state visits by visiting heads of state, or whenever required by the

British monarch The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the constitutional form of government by which a hereditary sovereign reigns as the head of state of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies (the Bailiwi ...

, including ceremonies associated with the Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II. The regiment also mounts the guard at Horse Guards. HCMR consists of one squadron from The Life Guards, one from The Blues and Royals and a squadron called Headquarters Squadron, which is responsible for all administrative matters and includes the regimental headquarters (RHQ), the Riding Staff, Farriers, Tailors and Saddlers. The Regiment has been based (in various forms) at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge, since 1795. New troopers and officers are generally first assigned to London upon completion of horsemanship training and remain there for up to three years. Like the five Foot Guards regiments they rotate between the operational unit and ceremonial duties.

Ranks

Officers

Second Lieutenants in The Blues and Royals are known as Cornets.

NCO's and other ranks

The rank names and insignia of

non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enli ...

s in the Household Cavalry are unique in the British Army: Recruits were required to have a very high moral character. Before the Second World War, recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 10 inches tall, but could not exceed 6 feet 1 inch. They initially enlisted for eight years with the colours and a further four years with the reserve.

Army farriers

A Jackal Vehicle and Soldier Stand Guard at a Vehicle Checkpoint in Afghanistan MOD 45153290

Queen Elizabeth II with soldiers of the Household Cavalry

There is a farrier on call twenty-four hours a day, at Hyde Park Barracks. Farriers traditionally combined veterinary knowledge with blacksmiths' skills. They were responsible for hoof trimming and fitting horseshoes to horses. They also dealt with the "humane dispatch of wounded and sick horses", accomplished with the large spike on the end of their axes. Then they used the sharp blade of the axe to chop off the deceased animal's hoof, which was marked with its regimental number. This assisted in keeping track of animals killed in action. Although the axes are not used any more, army farriers still carry these axes, with their characteristic blade and spike, at ceremonial events such as Trooping the Colour. In the Blues and Royals, the farriers dress like their comrades in regimental uniform. The distinctive uniform and equipment of the farriers of the Life Guards—blue tunic, black plume and axe—is a historic reminder of the old British Army of the days of James Wolfe. Every cavalry regiment in the Army, other than the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), originally wore scarlet for all ranks, except the farriers. Farriers were garbed invariably in sombre blue and bore axes, worn at the side, like the swords of their comrades. When on parade, the troopers drew swords, the Farriers drew axes and carried them at the "Advance". Following every parade is a duty horse-box, known as the Veterinary Aid Post, with a specialist emergency team in attendance.

Musical Ride

The Musical Ride of the Mounted Regiments of the Household Cavalry was first performed at the Royal Tournament in 1882. The two trumpeters sitting on grey horses were historically intended to form a contrast with the darker horses, so that they could be seen on battlefields when relaying officers' commands to the troops. The troops weave around the trumpeters and the celebrated drumhorse, Spartacus.

Band

The

Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry is a British Army band which ceremonially serves the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR). The HCMR Band is the largest symphonic wind band in the British Army. It is one of the bands of the Royal C ...

was a merger in 2014 of the 35 piece Band of the Blues and Royals and the 35 piece Band of the Life Guards. They are now one band of 64 musicians but wear the uniform of both The Blues and Royals and The Life Guards. They come under RCAM, the Royal Corps of Army Music. They also provide State Trumpeters for events of state.

Order of precedence

In the

British Army Order of Precedence The British Army is listed according to an order of precedence for the purposes of parading. This is the order in which the various corps of the army parade, from right to left, with the unit at the extreme right being highest. Under ordinary ci ...

, the Household Cavalry is always listed first and always parades at the extreme right of the line, save in cases that the guns of the Royal Horse Artillery are to be first in line during parades.

Place in British society

The two regiments of the Household Cavalry are regarded as the most prestigious in the British Army, due to their role as the monarch's official bodyguard. Historically, this meant regularly being in close proximity to the reigning sovereign. As such, the soldiers, and especially officers, of the Household Cavalry were once drawn exclusively from the British aristocracy. While this is no longer the case, the Household Cavalry still draws many of its officers from the upper classes and gentry, and maintains a close personal connection to the Royal Family; both William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex were commissioned into the Blues and Royals. On occasions, this has led the Household Cavalry to be accused of

elitism Elitism is the belief or notion that individuals who form an elite—a select group of people perceived as having an intrinsic quality, high intellect, wealth, power, notability, special skills, or experience—are more likely to be constructi ...

The Household Cavalry Foundation

The Household Cavalry is supported by the Household Cavalry Foundation, the regimental charity, which raises funds in aid of five core themes: casualties, veterans, serving soldiers, horses and heritage.

The Household Cavalry Regiment Museum

Evening reception at the Household Cavalry Museum

The Household Cavalry has two museums. The Household Cavalry Museum is located at Horse Guards Parade in central London, where the HCMR mounts the King's Life Guard. The museum is a very popular tourist attraction with digital audio guides in several languages. The museum includes a window into the working stables of the King's Life Guard, allowing visitors to watch ongoing care of the horses throughout the day. Separately, the Household Cavalry Regiment has its own museum at Combermere Barracks in Windsor. A volunteer team organise tours and events and, in particular, administer the regiment's extensive material, documentary and photographic archives. The museum is open to public groups, by appointment.

Notable members

* James Blount 1997–2002, stage name James Blunt (Life Guards), singer / songwriter *

Tommy Cooper Thomas Frederick Cooper (19 March 1921 – 15 April 1984) was a Welsh prop comedian and magician. As an entertainer, his appearance was large and lumbering at , and he habitually wore a red fez when performing. He served in the British Army f ...

, (Royal Horse Guards) *

Michael Flynn Michael Thomas Flynn (born December 24, 1958) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general and conspiracy theorist who was the 24th U.S. National Security Advisor for the first 22 days of the Trump administration. He resigned in light of ...

(Blues and Royals) * Craig Harrison (Blues and Royals) * Jack Higgins (Blues and Royals), author * Victor McLaglen (Life Guards), film actor *

Ray Milland Ray Milland (born Alfred Reginald Jones; 3 January 1907 – 10 March 1986) was a Welsh-American actor and film director. His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985. He is remembered for his Academy Award and Cannes Film Festival Award-winning ...

(Royal Horse Guards The Blues), film actor * Jack Charlton (Royal Horse Guards The Blues), footballer * Andrew Parker Bowles (Blues and Royals) * Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (Blues and Royals) * The Prince of Wales (Blues and Royals)

Lieutenant Colonels commanding Household Cavalry

These have included: * 1959–1960: Colonel the Marquess of Douro * 1960–1964: Colonel the Hon. Julian Berry * 1964–1966: Colonel David J. St.M. Tabor * 1966–1969: Colonel Harry S. Hopkinson * 1969–1972: Colonel Ian B. Baillie * 1972–1975: Colonel H. Desmond A. Langley * 1975–1978: Colonel James A. C. G. Eyre * 1978–1981: Colonel Simon C. Cooper * 1981–1982: Colonel Andrew J. Hartigan * 1982–1986: Colonel James G. Hamilton-Russell * 1986–1987: Colonel James B. Emson * 1987–1990: Colonel Andrew H. Parker Bowles * 1990–1993: Colonel Jeremy D. Smith-Bingham * 1993–1997: Colonel Peter B. Rogers * 1997–1999: Colonel P. Simon W.F. Falkner * 1999–2000: Colonel W. Toby Browne * 2000–2005: Colonel Hamon P.D. Massey * 2005–2009: Colonel Patrick J. Tabor * 2009–2010: Colonel W. Toby Browne * 2010–2014: Colonel Stuart H. Cowen * 2014–2019: Major-General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne * 2019–2022: Colonel Crispin Lockhart, MBE * 2022–present: Colonel M. S. P. Berry

Affiliated Yeomanry

* A ( Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick's Own) Yeomanry) Squadron, The Queen's Own Yeomanry

References

External links

Household Cavalry on British Army website

Household Cavalry on Household Division website

Household Cavalry Foundation website

Household Cavalry Museum website
* * {{The British Army Armoured units and formations of the British Army