| The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment | |
|---|---|
| HCMR | |
 Regimental Cap badge | |
| Active | 19 October 1992-Present (roots dating back to 1660) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | 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.[1] 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 one half of the Household Cavalry. The other half has the role of an operational formation reconnaissance regiment, with front-line combat duties.[2] 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.[3] 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.
Public duties[]
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment caries 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.
Musical ride[]
An officer of the Blues and Royals conducting the mounted band of the Household Cavalry.
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[]
External links[]
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
- An Introduction to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment - British Army website
- Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on Facebook
| |||||||||||||
The original article can be found at The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the edit history here.