Household Cavalry

Household Cavalry
Badge of the Household Cavalry[1]
ActiveSince 1992 (roots dating back to 1660)
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeCavalry
RoleHousehold Cavalry Regiment (armoured cavalry regiment)
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (public duties)
SizeCorps of two regiments:
The Life Guards
The Blues and Royals
Part ofHousehold Division
Garrison/HQRHQ – Horse Guards, London
Motto(s)Honi soit qui mal y pense
(Middle French for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it')
EquipmentWarrior
AJAX
Commanders
Colonel-in-ChiefThe King
Colonels of the regimentsThe Princess Royal (Blues and Royals)
Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne (The Life Guards)
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash
AbbreviationHCav

The Household Cavalry (HCAV) is a corps of the Household Division that is made up of the two most senior regiments of the British ArmyThe Life Guards and The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). They have taken part in every major conflict since 1660. These regiments are divided between the Household Cavalry Regiment stationed at Wing Barracks in Wiltshire, with an armored reconnaissance role, and the ceremonial mounted unit, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, garrisoned at Hyde Park Barracks in London. Both the HCMR and HCR are made up of elements of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals. The Household Cavalry is part of the Household Division and is the King's official bodyguard. Although the Household Cavalry Regiment is armoured, it is not part of the Royal Armoured Corps, being assigned to the Household Division.[2]

  1. ^ "The Household Cavalry". British Army website. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ "War Office and Ministry of Defence: Royal Armoured Corps: Correspondence and Reports". National Archives. Retrieved 17 January 2021.