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Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCR)

The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) consists of the Life Guards and The Blues and Royals (RHG/D). The Regiment is the senior regular Regiment of the British Army with traditions dating back to 1660 and currently is split between two distinct units. These units are:

• The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR)

Currently employed in the Formation Reconnaissance role with a responsibility for gathering information about the enemy’s dispositions and relaying that information back to a higher level formation in order that timely tactical decisions can be made by formation commanders.
Speed is of the essence when deploying close to the enemy and as such The cavalry regiment is equipped with light armoured vehicles capable of speeds of up to 50 mph. The Regiment can provide one squadron in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade or at least one parachute trained troop.
The Regiment has deployed on operations to the Falkland Islands, the First Gulf War, Bosnia and more recently Iraq and Afghanistan and although defined as a separate Corps to the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) for operational purposes is considered to be part of the RAC.

• The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR)

Equipped with horses the HCMR carry out both mounted, and occasionally dismounted ceremonial duties. The HMCR is well known for its immaculate turnout and bearing on State and Royal occasions which include providing the Sovereigns Escort for Trooping the Colour which is held annually in June and celebrates The Queens Official Birthday. Sovereigns Escorts are also provided for Her Majesty The Queen for the State Opening of Parliament and when accompanying visiting Heads of State. They will deploy throughout the United Kingdom as and when required by The Sovereign.

The Life Guards (LG)

The Life Guards is the Senior Regiment of the British Army and was originally formed from four troops of horse guards by Charles II between 1658 and 1661. In 1788 these troops were organised into two regiments, the 1st and 2nd Regiment of Life Guards. In late 1918 both regiments were re-roled as Machine Gun Battalions and became 1st and 2nd Battalions, Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Both regiments returned to their previous identities and roles at the end of the First World War in 1918. In 1922 the regiments were merged to form the Life Guards (1st and 2nd) and in 1928 were redesignated The Life Guards. In 1992, as part of Options for Change, The Life Guards were amalgamated with the Blues and Royals to form A and B Squadrons of The Household Cavalry Regiment. However, both regiments retain their own identities, distinctive uniforms and traditions.

The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)

The Blues and Royals were formed in 1969 after the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) were amalgamated with the Royal Dragoons (the Royals). The Blues were formed in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell and The Royals were raised by King Charles II in 1661. In 1992 the Blues and Royals were amalgamated with The Life Guards to form C and D Squadrons of The Household Cavalry Regiment. However, both regiments retain their own identities, distinctive uniforms and traditions.

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