Household Cavalry
The Household Cavalry (HCAV) is a corps of the Household Division, made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). 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.
| Household Cavalry | |
|---|---|
Badge of the Household Cavalry | |
| Active | Since 1992 (roots dating back to 1660) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Horse Guards |
| Role | Household Cavalry Regiment (armoured cavalry regiment) Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (public duties) |
| Size | Corps of two regiments: The Life Guards The Blues and Royals |
| Part of | Household Division |
| Garrison/HQ | RHQ – Horse Guards, London |
| Nickname(s) | The Plungers (obsolete by the 1930s), Unfortunate Gentlemen |
| Motto(s) | Honi soit qui mal y pense (Middle French for 'Shame on him who thinks evil of it') |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | The King |
| Colonels of the regiments | The Princess Royal (Blues and Royals) Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne (The Life Guards) |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash | |
| Abbreviation | HCav |