Latest news with #HorseGuards
National Post
14-07-2025
- General
- National Post
King Charles says he 'misses Canada' in meeting with Canadian mounted troop at Windsor Castle
Article content At 4 p.m., there's 'an inspection which dates all the way back to Queen Victoria when she found some of her soldiers who were intoxicated on the job, so she gave them a hundred years of defaulters,' Lauterbacher said. Article content The hundred years is long past, but the ceremonial inspection still draws large crowds. Article content The Canadians carry lances while on parade and sabers in the guard boxes. Article content 'Our soldiers do engage if they have to tell a person to, 'Please don't touch the tack of the animal,' or 'Please don't enter the box,'' Lauterbacher said. 'It's a safety thing that they're allowed to engage.' Article content People who have come to snag photos of the Canadians 'have been absolutely fantastic and super respectful,' he said. Article content Article content One horse 'stumbled a little' during the ceremonies, but its 'fantastic rider' was able to hold the animal steady so it wouldn't cause issues with the crowds, Lauterbacher said. Article content 'It's been a great time so far. The mounted troop has been practicing and getting ready for this for the last few months,' he said. 'And now we're finally getting the opportunity to do it, the soldiers are ecstatic.' Article content Article content The crowds are immense. Article content 'The soldiers perform in front of thousands of people, but it's nothing compared to the amount of people that come by (Horse) Guards. The photos, the people that want to come up and talk to everybody. How proud we are to be in front of the world and have everybody here cheering us on. It's a dream come true for a lot of the soldiers … to be here and to do the job. It's very busy, but it's very rewarding.' Article content In addition to guarding the palace, the Canadian troop goes on morning rides, called Watering Order, through Hyde Park. Article content 'When they're doing that they can say hello to people and a lot of people are really interested to come up and talk to the Canadians,' Lauterbacher said. 'So, it's been a great time.' Article content Lord Strathcona's Horse stood up its mounted troop in 1974 after the original mounted troop stood down in 1939 to man tanks during the Second World War. Article content 'We're the only mounted regiment in Canada when it comes to the Canadian Armed Forces,' Lauterbacher said. Article content The soldiers also have to maintain their operational skills should they be deployed in tanks. 'They have to train just like any other soldier, while also on the side learning how to ride horses,' Lauterbacher said. Article content The King donned a Canadian naval uniform earlier this year, which some interpreted as his subtle support for this country as U.S. President Donald Trump mused about making Canada the 51st state. Article content 'I can't speculate on what the King's intent is, but I know that he was very happy to have us and host us here and ask the mounted troop to come see him at Windsor Castle,' Lauterbacher said. Article content
Edinburgh Live
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Kate Middleton issues two-word order to Prince Louis as he nearly breaks royal rule
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Kate Middleton was forced to issue a stern order to Prince Louis on the royal balcony, according to a lip reader. Senior royals stepped out in front of Buckingham Palace to greet the crowds this afternoon. Thousands had gathered on the Mall to celebrate Trooping the Colour – King Charles' official birthday. The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by her husband Prince William and three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Louis. Charles and Queen Camilla were also seen waving to the crowds while Princess Anne and Sophie Wessex were also in attendance. But, as usual, seven-year-old Louis stole the show, flashing his toothless smile to the crowd and looking in awe at the planes soaring overheard. As the flypast came to a close and the national anthem started playing, cameras caught Kate seemingly reminding Louis of his duty. According to lip reader Jeremy Freeman, she told him: "National anthem, Louis stand." It's customary for all royals beneath King Charles as well as members of the public to stand when the national anthem is played. Next to her, William was seen engaging in conversation with his dad Charles. Jeremy says a jubilant William told him: "Oh my word, what a day." The King replied: "Great theatre." It wasn't the only eye-opening conversation picked up by Jeremy during the iconic event in London. As they made their way from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards parade this morning, Charles and Camilla were seen in a heated discussion. Lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman provided an intriguing interpretation of Charles' words. The King is said to have begun with: "Absolutely crazy, disgrace, absolutely extraordinary." While Jeremy couldn't decipher the entire conversation, he did catch the King saying "on my way out", followed by: "Meanwhile, not like me. That's the difference between me and him." It's not clear who the "him" was in the conversation, although fellow lip reader Nicola Hickling claimed to the Express that the monarch had earlier been discussing Prince Harry. This year's Trooping the Colour broke from tradition following the devastating Air India plane crash this week, where 241 people were killed. At the request of King Charles, Royal Family members wore black armbands as a mark of respect. There was also a one-minute silence in memory of all those who lost their lives. More than a thousand British Army personnel marched in full regalia, a testament to the nation's military heritage. At the heart of the ceremony was the "Colour", the regimental standard paraded before the troops. The practice harks back to its vital role as a battlefield beacon. Charles maintained the long-standing custom of reviewing the soldiers, a ceremonial duty steeped in history.
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Adorable moment King's Guard horse leans into the frame as a blind tourist poses for photo - and is rewarded with a salute
A King's Guard horse and a blind man have melted hearts after they posed for a photo together. A visually impaired tourist, thought to be from the US, travelled to Horse Guards Parade in central London where he politely asked the King's Guard and his horse whether he could take a picture with them. When the soldier agreed, the man then thanked them both and asked: 'Can somebody help me please?' A woman then stepped in to take the sweet snap of him and the guards, as the traveller then slowly backed up towards the wall while taking off his dark-tinted glasses. The man asked: 'May I step on the white line, sir?' He then beamed as he posed with the pair - before the adorable horse warmly leaned towards the man to get into the frame. After thanking the woman who took the snap, the blind man saluted the soldier and his well-behaved partner. 'Thank you sir, thank you for your service,' he said, before placing his phone back into his pocket and carefully navigating himself out of the way. The globetrotter was then seen zooming into the image and holding the phone right up to his eyes, seemingly to review the picture. Cavalry Blacks, which are distinctive for their height and black hair, are typically used by the Life Guards, the Blues and Royals. According to The Horse Trust, this specific breed 'are known for their striking appearance and calm temperament'. The charity added: 'Their presence symbolises the elegance and discipline of the British cavalry.' The heartwarming clip was shared by @royalguards_england21 on TikTok and has since racked up over one million views. TikTok users shared their thoughts on the clip, with many commenting on how well-mannered the man was towards the guard and his horse. One wrote: 'God bless his soul,' while another penned: 'And that's how you respect the guards!!!' A third said: 'If only everyone was as well mannered as this [man], the world would be a much better place. Lovely to see.' A fourth commented: 'He can come back anytime. Saluting and thanking him. What a beautiful man.' A fifth added: 'Nice to see our soldiers being respected and not laughed at. Based outside Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, the King's Guard is made up of highly-trained soldiers. The King's Life Guard are mounted soldiers based at the official main entrance to both St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace. Signs are placed around areas where the Guards are positioned, warning the public that the horses may bite or kick if they get too close. The soldiers are on duty 'at their post' for two hours and come to attention every 10 minutes. They are subject to strict rules including not being permitted to eat, sleep, smoke, sit, or lie down during their tour. Smiling is also strictly forbidden and they must maintain a stoic demeanour. Many guided walking tours involve a visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace or St. James's Palace which typically happens once a day, usually at 10.45am and lasts for about 45 minutes.
