The British Army Household Cavalry

The British Household Cavalry is classed as a corps in its own right, and consists of two regiments: the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). They are the senior regular regiments in the British Army, with traditions dating from 1660, and act as the Queen’s personal bodyguard. These regiments are divided between the Armoured Regiment stationed at Combermere Barracks in Windsor and the ceremonial Mounted unit stationed at Knightsbridge Barracks, London at the HCMR (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment).
The two regiments are also stationed at Combermere barracks, Windsor where a lot of training, especially equine, takes place. These last months they have been practising their routine for the upcoming Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

1 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

2 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

3 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

4 A member of the Household Cavalry takes part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

5 A member of the Household Cavalry walks away after falling from his horse during a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

6 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Sergeant Dan Harmer RLC/MoD/Crown Copyright/handout

7 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Sergeant Dan Harmer RLC/MoD/Crown Copyright/handout

8 Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

9 A member of the Household Cavalry takes part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. The event took place in front of the Barracks, and involved displays of ceremonial manoeuvres, including those to be used for the Royal Wedding. REUTERS/Sergeant Dan Harmer RLC/MoD/Crown Copyright/handout

10 A British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Trumpeter poses for a photograph during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

11 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment works on a heated horseshoe during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

12 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment takes off his uniform trousers, during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

13 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment files the hoof of a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

14 Members of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment polish part of their kit during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

15 Members of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment polish part of their kit during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

16 A member of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment polishes horse tack during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

17 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment works on a horseshoe during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

18 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment works on a horseshoe during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

19 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment feeds a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

20 A trooper of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment grooms a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/John Stillwell/POOL

21 Members of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment clean stables during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/John Stillwell

22 A member of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment combs a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

23 A trooper of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment grooms a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/John Stillwell

24 A member of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment files down the hoof of a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

25 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment carries a saddle during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

26 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment walks along the grounds of a riding school during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

27 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment prepares to ride a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

28 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment prepares to ride a horse during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

29 A member of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment waits on horseback during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

30 British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Trumpeters pose for a photograph during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

31 A member of the British Army Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment uses his mobile phone during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride, Kate Middleton, on their wedding day, of April 29th. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

32 Members of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment carry brooms during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

33 Members of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment prepare to ride during a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

34 Members of the British Army's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment take part in a media event at the Hyde Park Barracks in London April 15, 2011. Members of the regiment will escort Britain's Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day on April 29. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

35 Members of the Household Cavalry return to their barracks after taking part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day April 29. Picture taken April 14, 2011. REUTERSJohn Stillwell/POOL

36 Members of the Household Cavalry return to their barracks after taking part in a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day April 29. Picture taken April 14, 2011. REUTERSJohn Stillwell/POOL

37 Members of the Household Cavalry ride past Colonel Stuart Cowen (not pictured) during a dress rehearsal for the Major General's review, in Hyde Park in London April 14, 2011. Members of the Regiment will escort Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton on their wedding day April 29. Picture taken April 14, 2011. REUTERSJohn Stillwell/POOL

38 Members of the Household Cavalry ride past Buckingham Palace in London April 20, 2011. The Household Cavalry will perform ceremonial duties at the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29. REUTERS/Toby Melville