When was the Household Cavalry formed, did Prince Harry serve with them and what are they doing in the Royal Wedding?
THE Household Cavalry regiment of the British Army is set to play an integral part at the upcoming nuptials of Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle.
Here's what you need to know about how it was formed and what they're doing at the Royal Wedding...
When was the Household Cavalry formed?
The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) is an Armoured Cavalry regiment of the British Army based at Combermere Barracks in Windsor.
The brother regiment of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment based at Hyde Park Barracks in London, both regiments together form the Household Cavalry.
The Household Cavalry was formed in 1992, under the Options for Change reforms of the Army, by the union of The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals in order to preserve the distinct identities of the regiments.
The Soldiers of The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals equally mann the HCR and HCMR.
Did Prince Harry serve with them?
Prince Harry served in the Army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan.
He entered The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005 to begin his training as an Officer Cadet, and it was on January 25, 2006 that the Prince was to join the Blue and Royals regiment in May 2006.
On February 28, 2008 The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Prince Harry had been serving with the British Army in Helmand, Afghanistan for more than two months with the Household Cavalry, with whom he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in April 2008.
He later attained the rank of Captain in 2011.
He returned to Afghanistan in 2012 with the Army Air Corps - serving as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner.
He formally left the British Army after a decade of full time service in 2015.
In December 2017, the Queen formally appointed Prince Harry Captain General Royal Marines, assuming the role in succession to The Duke of Edinburgh.
What are the Household Cavalry doing in the Royal Wedding?
Troopers from Prince Harry’s old unit the Household Cavalry will form the guard of honour at the Royal Wedding.
They will line the steps of Windsor’s St George’s Chapel as Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the world’s media after the ceremony.
The Ministry of Defence announced on March 28 that units with close links to Harry had been chosen for the wedding celebrations.
Twenty four dismounted soldiers and two officers will line the staircase into St George’s Chapel at the castle ahead of the ceremony.
Following the service another twenty four soldiers and two officers will ride on horseback – escorting the bride and groom as part of the carriage procession through the town.
Commanding officer of the Household Cavalry Regiment Lieutenant Colonel James Gaselee will command the travelling mounted escort and will be at the side of the carriage.
He told “He has asked us to be involved – it is really important for us because he served with us as the Household Cavalry at Windsor, and he still wears our uniform on a regular basis.
“It is a real sense of pride to be asked to be involved in what is going to be an amazing occasion and celebration.”
Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle are due to marry on May 19.
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