| The King's Colour Squadron, RAF | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1960 – present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Type | Air Force Infantry |
| Role | Public Duties |
| Size | 1 Squadron |
| Part of | No. 2 Group RAF |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Northolt |
| Motto(s) | Escort [1] |
| March | Regimental: Holyrood Service: Royal Air Force March Past |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Charles III |
| Notable commanders | Squadron Leader P Hutchins |
The King's Colour Squadron, formerly the Queen's Colour Squadron, is the unit of the Royal Air Force charged with the safe-keeping of the King's Colour for the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. Since its formation, it has been formed exclusively by Officers and Gunners of No. 63 Squadron RAF Regiment.
The Squadron is tasked with representing the Royal Air Force at events and ceremonies, both at home and abroad. In addition to Royal Air Force events, the Squadron has the privilege of mounting the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Tower of London each year, and regularly has the honour of welcoming visiting heads of state on their arrival to the United Kingdom. The Squadron also supports State ceremonial tasks. This routinely includes providing ceremonial guards for the State Opening of Parliament, the National Service of Remembrance parade at the Cenotaph, and large UK hosted events such as the G7 Summit in Cornwall in 2021. The Squadron is also responsible for the ceremonial repatriation of serving Royal Air Force personnel from overseas and members of the Royal Family; in 1997, following the untimely death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Squadron provided the bearer party that recovered the coffin from Paris.[2] The Squadron provided the Bearer Party and Guard of Honour when an RAF C-17 delivered Queen Elizabeth II's coffin to London from Scotland on her death in September 2022.[3]
- ^ Pine, L. G. (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge & K. Paul. p. 65. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
- ^ The RAF Regiment - 63 Sqn RAF Regt History
- ^ "Her Majesty The Queen's coffin will return to London". The Royal Family. The Royal Household. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.