Soldiers from C Squadron, the Household Cavalry Regiment, were presented with medals at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 April, marking the conclusion of a six-month deployment to Kosovo on Op ELGIN 17.
The British Army say here that the parade was held in spring sunshine at the historic Chelsea site, attended by families, friends, and the Chelsea Pensioners. Medals were presented by HRH The Princess Royal, Colonel of The Blues and Royals, alongside Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Colonel of The Life Guards, and General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Band of the Household Cavalry provided musical support throughout the ceremony.
C Squadron deployed to Kosovo in October 2025 as the UK Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Unit under NATO’s Kosovo Force, known as KFOR. The 42-strong deployment comprised 32 personnel from the Household Cavalry Regiment, with the remainder drawn from attachments including 1st Signals Regiment, the Honourable Artillery Company, the Royal Yeomanry, 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, and 7th Military Intelligence Battalion. The squadron handed over responsibility to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery during a Transfer of Authority on 13 April 2026.
The deployment took place in testing conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 15 degrees during the winter months, a stark contrast to the spring sunshine of the parade.
KFOR has maintained a stabilising presence in Kosovo since 1999, following the NATO-led intervention that ended the conflict in the former Yugoslav province. The force operates in an environment that continues to present complex challenges, including inter-ethnic tensions and the influence of external actors seeking to undermine Kosovo’s stability. UK support to KFOR has been extended until at least 2028 as part of what the British Army describes as a NATO-first approach to collective security.
The Princess Royal addressed those on parade during the ceremony, paying tribute to the professionalism of the soldiers and acknowledging the support provided by families at home during the deployment.
Always interesting the difference between how medals are handed out. Here, a parade in an iconic location, the Princess Royal in attendance, a band, the whole works.
When I got my first operational medal it was a low key affair in an auditorium, with outsiders strictly not allowed in.
i got my NI first tour medal from the BQMS while doing a sheet exchange, thats how it was back then. I guess the Army/MOD need a distraction from the mess the Army is in, some good news instead of empty press releases, playing politics with Soldiers, disgusting
Yep got mine from the chief clerk who called me in while passing😂
Got my Borneo and Long distance medals from the office, when I turned up at work. No recognition for four months fighting mosquitoes and 18 years service.