Lord Strathcona’s Horse, a Canadian armoured regiment, has taken on ceremonial duties as The King’s Life Guard, becoming the first non-UK unit in over a decade to do so.
According to a British Army news update, the regiment assumed its position at Horse Guards Parade on 11 July following approval from His Majesty The King.
For the next ten days, the familiar sight of British mounted cavalry in Whitehall will be replaced by Canadian soldiers wearing scarlet and green uniforms, red and white plumed helmets and bearing lances. These troops from the 125-year-old tank regiment will perform daily public duties at the entrance to the Royal Palaces, marking only the third time in history that a foreign unit has been granted the honour.
“This rare and prestigious opportunity to stand guard abroad is a profound source of pride for all Canadians and the Canadian Army,” said Captain Tom Lauterbacher, Strathcona Mounted Troop Leader. “It is a unique occasion to see our soldiers represent Canada with honour and distinction in one of the world’s most iconic ceremonial duties.”
The Canadian soldiers have spent several days at Hyde Park Barracks training with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and will ride British cavalry chargers during their stay. According to Army sources, this mentorship has not only ensured ceremonial standards are maintained but has deepened ties between the two Commonwealth allies.
Lord Strathcona’s Horse is a dual-role regiment based in Western Canada, where it provides tank and reconnaissance forces to the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. It continues to operate modern armoured vehicles while maintaining a mounted ceremonial troop. The regiment’s motto is “Perseverance.”
The Strathconas trace their roots to the Boer War, where they were formed from Western Canadian cowboys, frontiersmen and North-West Mounted Police. Renowned for their combat and tracking skills, they earned three Victoria Crosses across the 20th century, during the Boer War, the First World War and the Second World War.
The regiment’s later deployments included combat operations in Korea, peacekeeping missions in Egypt, Cyprus and Bosnia, and numerous contributions to NATO in the Balkans and Afghanistan. In 2020, they led NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Latvia. The British Army described them as “a professional, highly experienced, armoured regiment with a ceremonial dual role.”
Like their British counterparts in the Household Cavalry, the Strathconas switch between ceremonial duties and operational readiness. While they conduct public duties in London, their British counterparts are training on the new Ajax armoured vehicle family in preparation for future deployments.
Is it me,or does anyone else not think of Anzacs or Canadians as ‘ foreign’?
Where by divers sundry old authentic histories and chronicles it is manifestly declared and expressed that this realm of England is an empire, and so hath been accepted in the world, governed by one supreme head and king having the dignity and royal estate of the imperial crown of the same. Preamble to the Act of Restraint of Appeals 1533.
Of course, they are foreign. They are also Commonwealth realms, meaning they share King Charles III as their Head of State. This gives their militaries a constitutional and ceremonial connection to the British monarchy.
This is a symbol of loyalty and shared heritage between the Crown and the armed forces of the Commonwealth realms. When Commonwealth forces are occasionally invited to serve as the King’s Guard at royal residences, it’s a privilege and an honour for them.
Personally, I love a bit of tradition, so this is great to see.
#StayHydrated
Calm your skin! All of what you have said is true it’s just I don’t think of them as foreign and was asking if anyone else shared the same opinion.
Ha, apologies — I missed the ‘not’ part of your original comment 👍
Long night and day I could have put it a bit better👍
I have never thought of them as foreign, and what great uniforms.
Another snub to the orange geezer???
AA
Get them back for TACOs state visit👍
Not all commonwealth countries have the king as the head of state.. infact most of them have a completely separate head of state, it’s only about 18% of them that has the king has head of state.
Jonathan, I was specifically referring to the Commonwealth realms (in response to the post about Canada, Australia, and New Zealand)—King Charles III is the head of state for all Commonwealth realms. The other members of the Commonwealth are either republics or have their own monarchs.
Well said, JJ.
Many years ago a Canadian I met said that we (U.K.) were regarded as family. Nice touch, I thought.
Jacko, more like extended family that lives overseas.
I do hope that Lord Strathcona’s Horse (possibly with RCMP) would be on duty when Trump comes to the UK, it could reinforce that Canada is not alone. What would make it even better is if the Gurkha’s, Aussies and New Zealanders formed the Kings Guard for Trump.
Very much doubt it’s a 125 year old tank regiment considering tanks only appeared first at the Somme in 1916 and that was for the British.
I think they mean it’s a 125 year old regiment that is now a tank regiment
Slightly pedantic, but ok:
1) It’s a tank Regiment that’s 125 years old
2) It’s a 125 year old Regiment that uses tanks
Take your pick…
Like most Armoured Regiments, it began it’s life as a Cavalry Regiment. It is indeed an Armoured Regiment, and it is indeed 125 years old.
Will Donald be reviewing them on his state visit?
It is you.