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Royal guard

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"Royal Guardsmen" and "Royal soldier" redirect here. For the band, seeThe Royal Guardsmen.For other uses, seeRoyal soldier.
King's GuardsatBuckingham Palace

Aroyal guardor thepalace guard,is a group of militarybodyguards,soldiers or armed retainers responsible for the protection of aroyal family member,such as akingorqueen,orprinceorprincess.They often are an elite unit of the regulararmed forces,or are designated as such, and may maintain special rights or privileges.

Institution and tasks

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The Palace Guard by Ernst Rudolf.

Royal guards have historically comprised both purely ceremonial units serving in close proximity to the monarch, as well as regiments from all arms, forming a designated substantial elite and intended for active service as part of the army. An example of the first category would include theTropas de la Casa Realof the Spanish monarchy prior to 1930, comprisinghalberderosand a mounted escort. Examples of the second would include the Imperial Guards of the Russian and German Empires prior to 1917–18.[1]

Monarchs frequently modelled their royal guards upon those of fellow rulers. Thus,Napoleon I'sGarde Imperialewas imitated by his opponentAlexander I of Russia,his Bourbon successorLouis XVIII,and his nephewNapoleon III.The modernGarderegiment Grenadiers en Jagersregiment of the Netherlands and theEscorte Royaleof Belgium retain features of uniform and other distinctions that can be traced back to Napoleonic influences.[2]

Political importance

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Because of their location, status, role and nature, royal guards have frequently been able to play a political role beyond their intended military and social ones. In times of revolution, the continued loyalty or defection of such units has often played a key part in the outcome of wider unrest. Historical examples wereEngland in 1688,Spain in 1808,Sweden in 1809,France in 1789and againin 1814-15,Russia in 1917andPersia in 1906and againin 1953.[3]

List of royal guards

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See also:List of protective service agencies

Past

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Royal Guards in Baroda
TheFrench GuardsatFontenoyin 1745.

Present

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Similar units

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See also

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References

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  1. ^José M. Bueno,El Ejército de Alfonso XIII - Tropas de la Casa Real,ISBN84-86071-01-1
  2. ^Philip Mason,Pillars of Monarchy,ISBN0-7043-2424-5
  3. ^Philip Mason, page 167 Pillars of Monarchy,ISBN0-7043-2424-5
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