Blues and Royals

Blues and Royals
source
Unit name	Blues and Royals
Dates	1969–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Household Cavalry
Type	Household Cavalry Regiment
Role	Reconnaissance, ceremonial
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge

Blues and Royals The Blues and Royals is a cavalry regiment of the British monarchy's Household Cavalry, formed in 1969. It combines lineage from historic troopers who served at the Battle of Waterloo, Crimean War, Second Boer War, and First World War, and maintains operational reconnaissance alongside ceremonial responsibilities for the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British Army, and state occasions.

History

The regiment traces descent from two antecedent units: the 1st Royal Dragoons and the 2nd Dragoons, whose antecedents include the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) and the Royal Dragoons (The Royals). Its antecedent regiments served under commanders such as Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, under Lord Raglan during the Charge of the Light Brigade context in the Crimean War, and under Field Marshal Douglas Haig during the Battle of the Somme. The 20th century brought deployments to the Gallipoli Campaign, the Western Front, and the North African Campaign. Post-1945 reorganizations influenced by the Defence Review 1957 and reforms of the British Army of the Rhine culminated in an amalgamation advised during the late 1960s and formalized in 1969. Subsequent Cold War duties included assignment to the British Army of the Rhine and participation in NATO exercises at bases like Hohne Garrison and Sennelager Training Area.

Organization and Structure

The regiment functions within the Household Cavalry, alongside the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the Household Cavalry Regiment (armoured reconnaissance). Its internal squadrons inherit titles reflecting antecedent lineage and battle honours from engagements such as Waterloo, Sevastopol, and Paardenburg. Command and control interfaces include the Adjutant-General to the Forces and ceremonial oversight by the Keeper of the Privy Purse for state duties. Training pipelines involve establishments like the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Combat Cavalry School modelled on regimental traditions preserved at the Household Cavalry Museum. The regiment's personnel rotate between reconnaissance roles with platforms influenced by procurement programs such as the Scimitar reconnaissance vehicle and ceremonial postings tied to residencies including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

Uniforms and Insignia

Uniforms reflect heraldic continuity inherited from the Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Dragoons, combining dark blue tunics and distinctive helmets. Ceremonial accoutrements include the metal cuirass associated with state processions at State Opening of Parliament and mounted duty in Trafalgar Square and Horse Guards Parade. Rank insignia derive from traditions observed by regiments like the Life Guards and are displayed alongside battle honours such as Waterloo and Balaclava. Regimental badges show symbols linked to patrons including members of the British Royal Family and commemorate awards like the Victoria Cross earned by antecedent troopers during actions in Egypt and on the Western Front. Stable and veterinary insignia tie into equine care practices exemplified at the Royal Mews and veterinary liaison with the Army Veterinary Corps.

Operational Role and Deployments

Operationally, the unit serves as an armoured reconnaissance regiment with recent deployments reflecting British commitments to multinational operations including missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq War, and Operation Telic. NATO taskings have seen detachments under International Security Assistance Force frameworks and exercises with allies such as the United States Army, French Army, and German Bundeswehr. Cold War stationing on the British Army of the Rhine prepared squadrons for contingency plans tied to the Central Region of NATO's defence. Peacekeeping and stabilization tasks placed personnel alongside formations like the British Army Training Unit Sierra Leone and elements of the United Nations Protection Force. Equipment evolution has paralleled procurement decisions involving vehicles like the FV107 Scimitar and communications interoperability with platforms fielded by the Royal Signals.

Ceremonial Duties and Public Profile

Ceremonial duties are central to the regiment's public profile, including mounted escorts for the State Opening of Parliament, participation in Trooping the Colour, and providing the Sovereign's Escort during Royal Procession events. High-visibility public engagements occur at locations such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Horse Guards Parade, and involve collaborations with units like the Life Guards and bands from the Household Division and Royal Corps of Army Music. The regiment maintains ceremonial links with civic and military institutions across the Commonwealth, engaging with regiments such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in exchange visits. Heritage displays appear at museums including the Household Cavalry Museum and during anniversaries commemorating engagements like Waterloo and Somme that connect to national remembrance rituals observed at the Imperial War Museum and Cenotaph, Whitehall.

Category:Regiments of the British Army