Grenadier Guards

Grenadier Guards
Unit name	Grenadier Guards
Dates	1656–present
Country	Kingdom of England (1656–1707), Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800), United Kingdom (1801–present)
Branch	British Army
Type	Foot Guards
Role	1st Battalion – Light Role Infantry, Nijmegen Company – Public Duties
Size	One battalion, One independent company
Garrison	RHQ – London, 1st Battalion – Aldershot Garrison, Nijmegen Company – Wellington Barracks
Ceremonial chief	The King
Colonel of the regiment	The Queen
Nicknames	The Bill Browns, The Coalheavers, The Granby Boys
Motto	Honi soit qui mal y pense, (Old French: "Shame on him who thinks evil of it")
March	Quick – "The British Grenadiers", Slow – "Scipio"
Identification symbol	White plume on bearskin
Identification symbol label	Plume

Grenadier Guards. The Grenadier Guards is the most senior infantry regiment of the British Army's Foot Guards, tracing its origins to 1656. Renowned for its ceremonial duties in London, including guarding Buckingham Palace, the regiment also maintains a frontline operational infantry battalion. Its history is deeply intertwined with the British monarchy and the nation's military campaigns across three centuries.

History

The regiment was formed in 1656 as the Royal Regiment of Guards by the exiled Charles II in Bruges, part of the Spanish Netherlands. It served with distinction during the War of the Spanish Succession, notably at the Battle of Blenheim. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, it fought in major conflicts including the American Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars—where it earned its name for defeating the French Imperial Guard at Waterloo—and the Crimean War. In the 20th century, it saw extensive service in both World War I and World War II, participating in pivotal battles like the Somme, Ypres, El Alamein, and the Normandy landings. More recently, it has been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and on various United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Organisation

The regiment currently consists of a single operational battalion, the 1st Battalion, based at Aldershot Garrison as a light role infantry unit within the 1st (United Kingdom) Division. For public duties, the independent Nijmegen Company is stationed at Wellington Barracks in London. The regiment's headquarters is located at the Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow. It is part of the Guards Division, and its soldiers are often selected for specialist roles such as the Pathfinder Platoon or attached to the Special Air Service.

Uniform and insignia

The regiment's full dress uniform includes the iconic bearskin cap, distinguished by a white plume worn on the left side. The tunic features brass buttons spaced singly, a key identifier among the Foot Guards. The ceremonial State Dress includes a scarlet tunic and blue trousers. The cap badge depicts the royal cypher within the Garter Star, surmounted by the Imperial State Crown. On operational duty, soldiers wear the standard Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage, with the regiment's distinctive cap badge affixed to the beret.

Traditions and role

The regiment's primary ceremonial role involves providing the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, and the Tower of London, a duty shared with other Foot Guards regiments. A key tradition is the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards Parade. The regiment maintains the custom of the "Grenadier slow march," based on the aria "Scipio" from Handel's opera. As an operational unit, it is trained for rapid deployment in infantry combat, reconnaissance, and peacekeeping roles worldwide, upholding the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense."

Notable members

Many distinguished individuals have served in the regiment, including British monarchs such as King George VI and Edward VIII. Renowned military commanders include Field Marshal The Duke of Wellington, who commanded the regiment at Waterloo, and Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Other notable members are former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, and actor Sir Alec Guinness. In contemporary times, The Prince of Wales served as a lieutenant in the regiment.

Battle honours

The regiment has been awarded 117 battle honours, with 79 displayed on its colours. Key honours from the early period include Namur and Dettingen. Napoleonic honours include Barrosa and Waterloo. First World War honours encompass Mons, Marne, Somme, and Passchendaele. Second World War honours include Dunkirk, Monte Cassino, Normandy, and Rhine Crossing. Post-war honours include Gulf 1991 and Al Basrah. The regiment's Colours also bear the unique honour "LÉGION D'HONNEUR" for its service at Waterloo.

Category:British Army infantry regiments Category:Military units and formations established in 1656 Category:Foot Guards