Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
| The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Major Tim Cooper, Director of Music of The Blues and Royals conducting the Mounted Band of The Blues and Royals | |
| Active | 19 October 1992-Present (roots dating back to 1660) |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Horse Guards |
| Role | Public duties/ceremonial |
| Size | One regiment |
| Part of | Household Cavalry |
| Garrison/HQ | Knightsbridge Barracks, London |
| Motto(s) |
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (Evil be to Him who Evil Thinks) |
| March |
Life Guards: Quick - Millanollo Slow - Life Guards Slow March Trot Past - Keel Row Blues and Royals: Quick - Quick March of the Blues and Royals Slow - Slow March of the Blues and Royals Trot Past - Keel Row |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | HM The Queen |
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) ceremonial duties on State and Royal occasions.
The HCMR is related to Household Cavalry. That unit is a formation reconnaissance regiment, with front-line combat duties. Most Household Cavalrymen will serve in both roles during their army careers.
Establishment
It consists of one sabre squadron from each regiment of the Household Cavalry (the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals) plus a Headquarters Squadron, and the Household Cavalry Training Wing. Each of the Squadrons consists of two divisions of one officer and 24 men.[1] This has been based (in various forms) at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge, since 1795. This is three-quarters of a mile from Buckingham Palace, close enough for the officers and men of the Household Cavalry to be available to respond speedily to any emergency at the Palace and also to conduct their ceremonial duties.[2]
Public duties
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment carries out regular ceremonial duties throughout the year. As the Sovereign's bodyguard and part of the Household Division, the HCMR mounts a daily guard (called Queen's Life Guard) at Horse Guards, which is the historical and ceremonial entrance to Buckingham Palace. This ceremony can be viewed daily by members of the public. The HCMR is responsible for the provision of the Sovereign's Escort, most commonly seen at the monarch's annual Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) in June each year. The escort is also seen at other occasions, including during state visits by visiting heads of state, or whenever required by the British monarch. The regiment provides a staircase party inside Buckingham Palace at state Investitures, and inside the Palace of Westminster at the annual State Opening of Parliament. They are also present at the annual Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle.[3]
Musical ride
The Household Cavalry Musical Ride has been performed at agricultural shows, military tattoos since the 1880s. The display is often accompanied by the Mounted Band of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). The Musical Ride demonstrates the skills that were required by cavalry in times of war. The display was a firm favourite at the Royal Tournament where it was first performed in 1882, the Musical Ride was performed at the last Royal Tournament in 1999. Since 2010, it has also performed at the British Military Tournament.
Alliances and twinnings
See also
Notes
- ↑ "House Cavalry - Mounted Regiment". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ↑ "Palace reins in sale of cavalry barracks". The Sunday Times. 29 September 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ↑ "The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
External links
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
- An Introduction to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment - British Army website
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on Facebook
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