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British Royals

The Duke of Edinburgh at presentation of new colours to London Guards

By
10th July 2023
Sgt Donald C Todd/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023 The new Colours replace those of The London Regiment, which were presented in 1997. The traditional ceremony which is based on the format of religious services held on the battlefield for centuries, where soldiers are blessed from a makeshift altar of drums in a hollow square before going into battle, was attended by 100 soldiers from the reservist unit. They were led by their Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Sykes, and music was provided by The Band of the Irish Guards. The new Colours were consecrated by the Chaplain General of His Majesty’s Land Forces: The Reverend Michael Parker, attended by Staff Chaplain, Father Ian Rogers, and the Chaplain 1st Battalion London Guards, Father Richard Terrado-Reardon. The Colours were originally carried into the thick of battle so that soldiers could see where the rest of their regiment was at all times. They are incredibly important to every soldier who serves under them as they represent the spirt of the regiment and it is believed that they carry the essence of all those soldiers who have died since the regiment’s formation, serving the Colours. Following the consecration, the colours were formally handed to the Battalion by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, who then took the salute as they were marched past with the Battalion.

The Duke of Edinburgh has presented new colours to the London Guards in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The Duke, who is The Colonel of the 1st Battalion London Guards, handed over the new colours before 100 soldiers after a blessing by the Chaplain General.

The 1st Battalion London Guards is the redesignation of the London Regiment which is the Army Reserve of the capital.

The change was made in 2022 but the new colours, which replace those of the London Regiment, weren’t presented until July 9th 2023.

Sgt Donald C Todd/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Sykes led the soldiers at the ceremony where music was provided by the Irish Guards.

The new colours were blessed by the Reverend Michael Parker who is the Chaplain General of His Majesty’s Land Forces.

Following the consecration, the colours were handed to the Duke of Edinburgh who then presented them to the Battalion. His Royal Highness then took the salute.

Regimental colours were carried into battle to provide a rallying point for soldiers.

The Duke of Edinburgh has been Colonel of the London Guards since

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.