King Charles and Queen Camilla present new Colours at Buckingham Palace

Following the presentation of the new Colours by the King, he addressed the assembled soldiers from the dais

The King and Queen have presented a pair of new Colours to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards during a ceremony held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

The King attended in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards and Company Commander of The King’s Company, whilst the Queen participated as Colonel of the regiment.

 

One of the newly presented Colours will feature prominently at the Trooping of the Colour during the King’s Birthday Parade this Saturday, 13th June.

The ceremonial flags, crafted from silk damask with gold thread embroidery and fringe, display battle honours and cyphers earned throughout the regiment’s distinguished history.

The King’s Company Grenadier Guards will carry the new Colour during the forthcoming celebrations.

King Charles

The King attended in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards and Company Commander of The King’s Company, whilst the Queen participated as Colonel of the regiment.

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Prior to the presentation, the Chaplain-General consecrated the new Colours in a ceremony steeped in military tradition.

The flags were draped over a makeshift altar formed from stacked regimental drums, transforming them from ordinary banners into official Colours.

This drum stack arrangement echoes a centuries-old battlefield practice whereby soldiers would construct a sacred space to pray for protection and courage before combat.

The consecration through prayers and blessings is an essential requirement before any Colour can be used in active duty.

King Charles

The King and Queen have presented a pair of new Colours to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards during a ceremony held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

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Without this religious ceremony, the silk damask flags bearing the regiment’s battle honours would remain merely decorative items rather than the sacred symbols they become once blessed.

The ritual marks a profound transition in the status of these ceremonial standards.

The parade assembled at Wellington Barracks in Westminster before marching to the Palace with the Battalion’s Old Colours.

Upon arrival, the Queen received a Royal Salute from the dais as the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed the National Anthem.

King Charles

The King’s Company Grenadier Guards will carry the new Colour during the forthcoming celebrations.

 | GETTY

Camilla then observed as the regiment’s Old Colours were marched off parade for the final time.

King Charles subsequently joined the Queen on the dais, where Major General James Bowder, the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, invited the royal couple to inspect the troops.

Following the presentation of the new Colours by the King, he addressed the assembled soldiers from the dais.

The Regimental Lieutenant Colonel delivered a brief reply before the newly presented Colours were marched back to the formed-up Guards, who responded with three cheers before marching past and departing.

The Grenadier Guards hold the distinction of being the British Army’s most senior infantry regiment.

King Charles

Following the presentation of the new Colours by the King, he addressed the assembled soldiers from the dais

 | GETTY

The regiment fulfils a dual purpose, serving as specialists in light role infantry operations whilst also delivering high-profile ceremonial duties.

Soldiers from the regiment regularly stand guard at the Royal Palaces in London and Windsor, fulfilling their historic role as the Sovereign’s bodyguard.

The Queen was appointed Colonel of the Grenadier Guards on 22nd December 2022.

Over the past eighteen months, the regiment has undertaken operational training exercises in both Cyprus and Kenya.

The Grenadier Guards have participated in every major conflict since their formation, from Waterloo through the Crimean War, both World Wars, and most recently operations in Afghanistan.