Spanish Royal Guard

Guardia Real Royal Guard
At the crown's service.
Active	18th century - present
Country	Spain
Allegiance	King and Fatherland
Branch	Spanish Armed Forces
Type	Infantry, Cavalry and Horse artillery
Role	Executive protection
Size	1,900 Troops (1 Regiment)
Garrison/HQ	Royal Places
Motto	Al servicio de la corona "At the Crown's service"
March	Hymn of the Royal Guards
Anniversaries	October 12
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Prim General Castaños

The Royal Guard (Guardia Real) is an independent unit of the Spanish Armed Forces dedicated to the military protection of H.M. the King of Spain and the members of the Spanish Royal Family. It currently has a strength of 1,900 troops. While the guard does participate in parades and other ceremonial events, it is a fully functional combat unit. Its members are recruited from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces and receive the same combat training as regular soldiers. The guard contains a diverse mix of units; a Royal Marines company from the Navy, a Paratroop company from the Air Force and an infantry company from the Army among others. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan and Bosnia

The history of the Royal Guard dates back to Medieval times. The senior unit and one of the oldest body guards in the World is the Corps of Gentlemen of the Chamber, the "Monteros de Espinosa", dating to 1006 and created by Sancho Garcia of the House of Castile. The present functions of the unit include the protection of the members of Spanish Royal Family, of the foreign Chiefs of State in visit to Spain and of the royal palaces like the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace of El Pardo, the Palacio de la Zarzuela and others.

Detail of the Guard Change, Palacio Real.

Organization

HM King Juan Carlos I inspects the Royal Guard during the 2009 Pascua Militar

King Ferdinand of Aragon escorted by Castile's Royal Guard during the swearing of the Fueros in Guernica in 1476 as Lord of Biscay.

Colours of the Marine company of the Spanish Royal Guard

• High Command of the Royal Guard
• High Command Group
  • Group HQ
  • HQ Company
  • Security Company
  • Communications Company
  • Formation Center
  • Religious Service of the Royal Guard
• Escorts Group
  • Group HQ
  • Military Control Company
    • Perimeter Control Section
    • Attack Dog Section
    • Motorcycle Section
  • Alabarderos (Halberdiers) Company
    • 1st Immediate Security Section
    • 2nd Immediate Security Section
    • Alabarderos Section
  • Royal Escort Squadron
    • Mounted Band of Timpani and Bugles
    • Mounted Marker Squad
    • Cuirassiers Troop
    • Lancers Troop
  • Royal Horse Artillery Battery
  • Equestrian Training Unit
• Honors Group
  • Group HQ
  • Army Company "Monteros de Espinosa"
    • 1st Platoon
    • 2nd Platoon
    • 3rd Platoon
    • Drill Team Platoon
  • Navy and Marine Composite Company "Oceanic Sea"
    • 1st Platoon
    • 2nd Platoon
    • 3rd Platoon
  • Air Force Squadron "Plus Ultra"
    • 1st Flight
    • 2nd Flight
    • 3rd Flight
  • Mountaineering Group
  • Diving Unit
• Logistics Group
  • Group HQ
  • Administration Company
  • Maintenance Company
  • Transportation Company
  • Logistics Directorates
• Musical Unit of the Armed Forces Royal Guard
  • Musical Unit HQ and High Command
  • Symphonic Military band of the Royal Guard
  • Corps of Drums of the Royal Guard (Drums and bugles)
  • Fife Section and Pipe band
  • Brass band of the Royal Guard
  • Royal Guard Big band
  • Royal Guard Chamber Ensembles

External links

• Official page of the Royal Guard (in Spanish)
• Gardes du Corps