The Queen and Duke of York will be at Richmond Castle for an amalgamation parade
It has been announced that The Queen and Prince Andrew will visit Richmond Castle on Saturday 2nd May to attend the amalgamation parade of The Queen’s Royal Lancers and 9th/12th Royal Lancers. The parade will take place to mark the two regiment’s formal amalgamation to form The Royal Lancers.
Prior to the two regiments entering the castle grounds, they will perform in a march through the town of Richmond after which they will enter Richmond Castle for the takeover of the regiment by a new Commanding Officer, as well as presentation to Her Majesty The Queen, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Lancers.
The location of the parade, Richmond Castle, was originally built to subdue the unruly North of England and is one of the greatest Norman fortresses in the country. In 1855, the castle became the headquarters of the North Yorkshire Militia, who constructed a military barracks in the castle courtyard. During the First World War, the castle was used as the base for the Non-Combatant Corps, made up of conscientious objectors and also as a prison for some conscientious objectors who refused to play any part in the war whatsoever.
For her part in Saturday’s service, The Queen will take the Royal Salute as well as inspecting the Parade. After the amalgamation service, which will be conducted by The Reverend Doctor David Coulter- Chaplain General to Her Majesty’s Land Forces, The Queen will witness the Change of Command. This change is marked by the lowering of the flags of The Queen’s Royal Lancers and 9th/12th Royal Lancers after which the flag of the newly formed Royal Lancers will be raised.
Following their amalgamation, The Royal Lancers will be part of 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade. The Royal Lancers will be at the forefront of the British Army’s ground manoeuvre capability moving forward into the future.
The Queen’s final duty at Richmond on Saturday will be to address the parade and receive a reply from the Colonel of the Regiment. The Queen and Prince Andrew’s day will be rounded off at the Saluting Dias where they will witness a march past and finally a fly past.
Although The Queen and The Duke of York’s day will end with a fly past, the regiment will continue to celebrate its history after the royal departure. On Saturday evening, the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps will beat retreat after which the entire day will be rounded off with an all ranks party that will include a rock band and a spectacular fireworks display.
Richmond Castle will be closed to the public from 4pm on Friday 1st May to 11am on Sunday 3rd May.
Photo Credit: Rachael
Featured Photo Credit: Royal Navy Media Archive
bit more history of famous regiments going
Enjoy the royal lancer parade
Regiments are not going, just amalgamating just as happened over the years with lots of Lancers regiments.
There’s a recruitment crisis across the armed forces. Best is structure units to get maximum trained troops rather than have numerous undermanned regiments.
My mum was there xxx