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THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY PRESENTATION OF STANDARDS
BY THE COLONEL-IN-CHIEF - 28TH MAY 2014
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The Household Cavalry Bands, mounted and dismounted |
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, presented new Standards to the Household Cavalry on Horse Guards on 28th May 2014. The stands on Horse Guards were filled with serving and retired officers and soldiers, families and friends. The parade, under the command of Col Stuart Cowen RHG/D, Commander Household Cavalry, comprised two mounted squadrons, two armoured squadrons with PANTHERs and SCIMITARs, and The Life Guards Band mounted and The Blues and Royals Band dismounted.
The parade began in changeable weather with the crowds well swathed in suitable clothing. Once The Household Cavalry was in position, the two Colonels, FM the Lord Guthrie and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, came on parade and witnessed the final Troop of the old Standards as they passed the lines of mounted and dismounted soldiers and bands and processed under Horse Guards Arch to the sound of Auld Lang Syne.
Shortly after Her Majesty came on parade and mounted the dais, receiving a Royal Salute before inspecting the troops, accompanied by the Major General, the senior serving Household Cavalryman, followed by Col Cowen trotting behind on his charger, Integrity. Thereafter the Chaplain General led a short service of consecration of the Standards, arranged on two sets of our priceless silver kettledrums before The Queen presented the Standards to the two Commanding Officers, who handed them to the eight mounted Standard Bearers of the Regiments. Following the Presentation, Her Majesty gave a short address that was broadcast to the stands and parade, to which Col Cowen replied. The text of both addresses are reproduced below;
Colonel Stuart Cowen, Commander Household Cavalry, presents the parade to Her Majesty |
The Colonel-in-Chief’s address:
Colonel Cowen and All Ranks of the Household Cavalry.
The special association between the Sovereign and the Household Cavalry has continued unbroken for more than 350 years. It therefore gives me great pleasure, in the presence of the wider Regimental family and friends, to present you with new Standards.
Since I last presented Standards in 2003, the Household Cavalry Regiment, in its Armoured Reconnaissance role, has been at the very forefront of operations, and especially so in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It has been a demanding and difficult period for All Ranks, a time of sacrifice and separation. These burdens have fallen especially heavily upon the Household Cavalry’s families, who have given so much support; on this occasion, Prince Philip and I wish to express our praise and admiration for your achievements.
Similarly, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment has been heavily-engaged in Ceremonial Activity in London and Windsor.
I have received so many complementary remarks from visiting Heads of State, who have witnessed the excellence of your turnout and horsemanship at close quarters.
A generation of soldiers has now served within the single Regiment while successfully maintaining the traditions and separate identities of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals. The values and ethos of the Household Cavalry as a whole are embedded within the fabric of these Standards which are emblazoned with the hard-won honours of the past.
I therefore entrust these Standards to your safe-keeping, to be with you and to inspire you, wherever you may be, in the service of our country.
Col Cowen’s reply:
Your Majesty, on behalf of all ranks of your Household Cavalry, I thank you for presenting these new Standards to our charge this day,
The Household Cavalry are deeply conscious and appreciative of the trust that you have placed in us and which we shall always honour. We draw inspiration from your address to meet the challenges of the future and maintain the legacy of service of our forebears, recorded on these Standards.
All members of The Life Guards and Blues and Royals are proud to offer to Your Majesty, our Sovereign and our Colonel in Chief, our humble duty and the firm assurance of our continued and loyal service.
On the conclusion of the addresses the troops on parade took post to walk, trot, and drive past. Crews mounted, and the mounted troops made their way around the parade ground with the Standards being dipped to The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Kent, and the two Colonels. As the Squadrons walked past, all the armoured vehicles started, as we were always confident that they would. The manoeuvres complete, including an extra turn performed gracefully by Trumpet Major Bishop, Col Cowen rode forward to report the parade complete and ask permission to return to barracks.
Thereafter the troops travelled down The Mall dividing at The Queen Victoria Memorial, dispersed and prepared for the Garden Party that Her Majesty had kindly granted for that afternoon. A wonderful and memorable parade, capped by a dry afternoon, allowing all to appreciate the gardens of Buckingham Palace in perfect conditions.
The dismounted Drums and Standards Party complete preparations |
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